Important Tips On Safety Gates For Stairs

As parents, protecting our toddlers from accidents around the house can seem like a full-time job at times. And if you have stairs in your home it becomes even more important than ever. The only solution is safety gates for stairs. Not only will they provide protection against accidental falls down the steps, but they can also help you in preventing access to certain rooms in your home.

Baby gates have been around for many years, but there have been a number of changes in models, styles and features during this time. Gone are the days of the old accordion style safety gates that would pinch your skin and cause a number of other problems. Today, there are specially built gates for stairs that are designed to be as solid as a door.

You can find excellent baby gates from makers such as Cardinal, Kidco, DreamBaby, Evenflo, Summer Infant and many more.

That said, there are some things to keep in mind when shopping for safety gates for stairs.

1. Buy the right type of gate. What I mean by that is purchase a hardware mounted baby gates for stairs and not a pressure gate. You want a gate that screws into the wall at the top (or bottom) of the steps. Pressure gates are perfect for other rooms in your home, but they can come loose if shaken or pushed on over time. If they give way, your child can quickly tumble down the steps.

The good news is that the hardware mounted gates are easy to install and even come with installation kits to make it possible for the non-handyman to put one up fast. A couple of gates that are among the top sellers include the KidCo Configure Gate and the Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Gate.

2. Get the right width of baby gate. For example, if you have an oversize opening at your stairway, consider purchasing an extra wide safety gate. They are built to handle the increased opening and have the strength to hold up to your child pushing up against them.

3. Be sure to consider how tall of a gate you need. Not all child safety gates are the same height. As a rule of thumb the gate should be NO lower than 3/4 of your child's height. Again, manufacturers provide tall baby gates in the event you need them.

Having a gate that only comes up to your child's waist may not seem like a big deal, but they can easily topple over the top when pushing against it or trying to climb on it. A gate such as the Dex Products 2-In-1 Safety Gate is tall enough in protecting most any child.

Hopefully, these tips come in handy in making your best choice in safety gates at the top of stairs, or anywhere in your home that you need secure protection.

Here's a video on how not to use safety gates for stairs: