As your baby becomes more mobile, the issue of ensuring a safe place to explore that mobility becomes a significant one. In 2007, a study by Karin Mack, Ph.D., found that more than 20,000 infants a year went to an emergency department for injuries related to stairs. A simple way to help prevent such injuries is to make sure stairways are gated at the top and bottom by the appropriate kind of safety gate. While a list of all safety gates would be too long to be useful, there are only a few basic types. The key is remembering that when choosing a gate for the bottom of a staircase, a pressure-mounted gate will work; when choosing a gate for the top of staircase, always use a hardware-mounted gate.
First Years Hands Free Gate
The pressure-mounted system is easy to install: Using the four adjustable knobs/bolts at each corner of the gate, twist until the pressure between the doorway and the bolts causes enough resistance that the gate is securely standing and blocking off the forbidden area. Installation takes just a few minutes, and does not leave any holes in the wall. This gate is highly rated gate and is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. The First Years gate (about $45), as its name implies, is truly hands free; you can open and close it with a tap of the foot pedal and a push of the knee. The gate will swing in both directions and "click" audibly when shut. It can span doorways from 29 inches to 34 inches. With the extension kit, the range goes up to 45 inches.
KidCo G15 Center Gateway with Walk-Through Pressure Gate
This is also a pressure-mounted gate, so it won't leave marks in doorways or stairways. There are many positive reviews of this JPMA-certified gate. The KidCo gate (approximately $80) is made of steel, adding to its strength, and swings open in either direction. The KidCo gate can block spaces 29.25 inches to 37.5 inches wide, with a separate extension kit that increases the range to 48.5 inches.
Dream Baby Pressure Mount Hallway Gate
This pressure-mounted gate (about $60) comes with hardware that gives you the option of screwing it into the wall, so it can be used either at the top or bottom of stairs. It is JPMA certified, easy to install, and as an added bonus, comes with two extensions, so the gate can block spaces from 38 inches to 53 inches wide. Additionally, it is designed for one-hand use (great when the other hand is holding baby) and swings shut automatically--to prevent those "Oh no! Did I forget to shut the gate?" moments.
Safety 1st Alarm Security Gate
This is an example of a hardware-mounted gate: Using screws and other metal hardware, the gate is attached permanently to the doorway or stairway. While no gate is 100 percent safe, hardware-mounted gates are the most secure type of baby gate and are the preferred option for use at the top of staircases. It sells for about $60, will block off spaces 27 inches to 42 inches wide and will sound an increasingly loud alarm if the gate is left open (this alarm may be turned off as well). Though user reviews suggest it is not the easiest to install, the durability and the optional alarm make this gate a solid choice for parents looking to block off a stairway.
Cardinal Gates Auto Lock Gate
This hardware-mounted gate is made entirely of aluminum. It's coated with a non-toxic finish that makes it easy to clean. Best of all, it locks automatically so parents don't have to wonder, "Did I close the gate at the top of the stairs when I ran down to make that call?" It can span an opening of 26 inches to 40 inches wide (up to 61 inches with extensions, which are sold separately), and costs about $85. Cardinal Gates has been in the safety gate business for more than 15 years and all its gates are JPMA certified.
Evenflo Top-of-Stair Plus Gate
This is a new version of Evenflo's Top of Stair Natural Wood Gate. It offers a bit more coverage than the previous gate (this gate: 30 to 48 inches; old version 28 to 42 inches) and has a rather hard-to-find feature: It can either swing both ways (for use in a hallway) or can be set to swing only in one direction (if used, for instance, at the top of a staircase). Like the other gates listed, it comes from a JPMA-certified manufacturer. Ratings are a bit more mixed on this gate: As an important example, one online reviewer noted that this gate should be used only "if you have solid wood (or stud support at specific heights) on both sides of the stair." However, overall this may be a good choice for a relatively inexpensive ($50) gate that can be used at either the top or bottom of a stairway.
