The first year of a baby's life is filled with change. Perhaps one of the most impressive changes is when that cute little bundle becomes a crawling, then cruising, then walking little person. As your baby becomes more mobile, the issue of ensuring a safe place to explore that mobility becomes a significant one. In 2007, for instance, a study by Karin Mack, senior behavioral scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that more than 20,000 infants a year went to an emergency department for injuries related to stairs. Consider a few factors when choosing the best safety gate for your needs.
Significance
The significance of baby gate safety cannot be overstated and includes two factors: choosing the correct type of gate for the area in question and properly installing the gate in the needed space. When choosing the appropriate gate, a key point to remember is simple: For blocking off one of the riskiest "danger zones"--the top of a staircase--always use a hardware-mounted gate.
For any other areas, including staircase bottoms, hallways or a busy kitchen, a hardware-mounted or a pressure-mounted gate may be used. Follow the assembly instructions carefully, and if the instructions are hard to understand, contact the manufacturer, look online and ask for help; An incorrectly installed gate won't keep baby very safe and won't help parents and caregivers feel secure.
Types of Baby Gates
The two basic types of safety gates are distinguished by their installation method: pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted.
Pressure-mounted: These gates stay in place simply by pressure exerted on the door frame in which they are placed. While pressure-mounted gates should never be used to block of the top of a forbidden staircase, these are often good and inexpensive options for keeping your baby out of rooms or away from the bottom of the stairs. Examples of pressure-mounted gates include the Dream Baby Swing Close Safety Gate and the Evenflo Summit Pressure Mounted Metal Gate.
Hardware-mounted: These gates require drilling screws into the woodwork of the doorway for correct installation. 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. Hardware-mounted gates include the KidCo Hearth Gate and the Cardinal Gates Clear Safety Gate.
Combination: Several manufacturers offer gates that may be installed using pressure or hardware, depending on the intended use of the gate. An example of such a gate is the First Years Home Décor Extra Tall Gate.
Certification: An Especially Important Consideration
Regardless of the type of gate you choose, look for the JPMA seal of certification. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal suggests that the manufacturer of the baby gate participates in this voluntary safety program. It also indicates that American Society for Testing and Materials safety standards have been been met; ASTM standards ensure that a variety of aspects of the gate (such as the distance between the bottom of the gate and the floor, or the height of the gate) have been examined and found to meet the safety standard set.
Other Safety-Related Considerations
While this is less likely to be a critical factor in the decision, it is helpful to know that gates are made of a variety of materials. Metal and wood are the most common materials, but it is also possible to find mesh gates and plastic gates. If matching a room's decor is an issue, a wooden gate, such as the Evenflo Home Decor, may be preferred over a metal one; if there is concern about a crawling baby bumping into a gate at the bottom of a stairway, a mesh gate, such as the KiddyGuard, may be the logical option.
Before making a final selection, have the correct measurements for the doorway/space in which the gate will be used--a gate is useless if it almost (but not quite) fits. While most gates can span at least 2 feet, some may extend to more than 4 feet, while others may offer extension kits--included or sold separately--to provide even more coverage.
Will the gate be used indoors or outdoors? If the intent is to use it outdoors, be sure the gate is made to withstand the elements.
If tripping is a potential problem--whether because of a preoccupied parent or a wobbly new-to-walking baby--consider a gate in which the whole panel swings open, rather than a style in which there is a horizontal bar on the bottom. This is also an important consideration for that hardware-mounted top-of-stair gate. An example of this "trip-resistant" gate is the KidCo Steel Safeway Gate.
Warning
No matter how careful and thorough one is in choosing and installing a baby gate, no gate in the world is completely, absolutely 100 percent safe and secure.
Regularly inspect the gate, especially if it is set up in a high-traffic area. Is it still solid? Does it close completely? In the case of alarmed gates, is the battery in need of a replacement? These are simple "check-ins" to do to ensure that your baby stays safe--and that your peace of mind is maintained as well.
