Every parent wants to keep his or her baby safe from the dangers of the outside world. But did you know that the home holds just as many hazards for an active and curious baby? Baby-proofing your home is essential for health and child safety. One of the most important items of child safety gear is a safety gate to block stairways and other areas of the home that could pose a danger. A child safety gate can offer peace of mind for worried parents. This safety gate buying guide will help you figure out how to buy a safety gate that will offer the most effective protection for your baby around the house.
There are two ways to install a child safety gate and thus, two main types of child gates. The first type is a pressure-mounted safety gate. This basically works the same as a tension rod for a shower curtain. The gate simply wedges between two walls or a door frame using pressure to stay up.
The second type is a hardware-mounted gate. Unlike a pressure-mounted gate that can be moved from place to place, a hardware-mounted gate is secured to your walls or doorway with screws or brackets.
When choosing which child safety gate to buy, the best place to start is figuring out where you need to put the gates and how many you will need. A permanent or hardware-mounted gate is the safest option for staircases while a pressure-mounted gate will work great in doorways between rooms or in a hallway.
It is recommended that a hardware-mounted gate be used at the tops of staircases or any other area of uneven floor levels where your baby could fall. A pressure-mounted gate can be used at the bottom of the stairs to keep your baby from climbing up or between rooms to keep your baby separated from the family dog or cat, for example.
There are many different styles and designs to choose from within the two types of gates, and some choices are safer than others. For example, never buy a child safety gate that has horizontal slats or bars. A child gate with horizontal slats or bars is no better than providing your child with a ladder to climb.
Look for safety gates with closely set vertical slats or bars or one with a wire mesh screen or plastic panel. These types of child gates will more effectively prevent your child from climbing them. If you're buying a safety gate with bars, slats or a mesh screen, make sure the bars are set close enough together that little feet can't fit between the slats to climb on the gate and the mesh has holes that are neither big enough to become footholds nor small enough to trap little fingers.
Materials
Safety gates are typically made of metal or wood, sometimes with plastic parts. A metal frame is often sturdier and more durable than a wood one and is preferable for mounting at the tops of stairs. For pressure-mounted gates, a wood or plastic gate will work fine as long as you're not relying on it to keep your baby from falling down a staircase. If you buy a wooden child gate, make sure the wood is completely sanded and smooth to avoid slivers and splinters.
When installing a hardware-mounted gate, the importance of installing it correctly cannot be overstated. Screws or brackets should be drilled into the door frame or a wall stud, never just into the dry wall. If you install a hardware-mounted gate with a swing open door at the top of the stairs, make sure the door swings open away from the stairs for maximum safety.
To install a pressure-mounted gate, simple tighten the tension bar between two walls or in a doorway until the gate is securely in place.
Over time, the hardware or pressure of your safety gates will loosen slightly so it's important to check them often to keep them tight and secure.
Additional child gate safety
A child gate is not a substitute for parental supervision. To maximize the effectiveness of your safety gate, watch your child closely and keep an eye on the environment surrounding your safety gates. Remove anything from the area that your baby can use to climb onto or over the gate such as small, lightweight furniture like a plastic footstool. Try not to place chairs, small tables, toy chests or even large stuffed animals near the gate. Basically, remove anything your baby can stand on to make himself or herself tall enough to get on or over the gate.
Do I have to drill holes in my wall to use a hardware-mounted child gate?
Yes. Some parents may be reluctant to install a hardware-mounted child gate in their home because they don't want to drill holes in their walls, but a properly installed hardware-mounted child gate is more secure than a pressure-mounted gate and should always be used on staircases. You can always fill in the holes later when you no longer need a child safety gate. That being said, a pressure-mounted gate that can be moved from room to room is also good to have, as your child safety needs are likely to change, and you will want to be able to move your child gate easily to meet your needs.
Will a pressure-mounted child gate damage my walls?
It is possible for a pressure-mounted gate to blemish your paint job or cause a small welt in your wall, but it is nothing seriously damaging that a little touch-up paint or light spackling won't fix.
Do child gates come in different sizes or is there only one standard size?
Most child gates are made to fit standard doorways and openings measuring between 26 and 38 inches, but you can find some models that measure nearly double the standard size to accommodate homes and apartments with wider thoroughfares.
Baby-proofing kits
Unfortunately, a child gate cannot keep your baby safe from every possible danger around the house. That's why Overstock.com has many other home safety products to help you baby-proof your whole house. You may want to child-proof drawers and cabinets with spring and release latches, and you could add grip and twist doorknob covers and finger pinch guards. You'll also find both indoor and outdoor banister guards and edge and corner cushion rolls. There are many inexpensive and helpful products available to assist you in making your home a safe place for your baby. At Overstock.com, you'll find everything you need to child-proof your home.
Baby monitors
A baby monitor is an extremely helpful tool to have for child safety. With a baby monitor, you can always be there to watch over your little one in his or her sleep. A baby monitor can give you the freedom to be in other areas of the house doing laundry, dishes, taking a shower or even outside in the yard gardening while your baby naps, all without leaving him or her unsupervised. Overstock.com has both audio and visual baby monitors, so you're sure to find the baby monitor you want at a great low price.
Baby thermometers
Keeping your baby safe from accident or injury is only half the story. Keeping your baby healthy is the other half. Overstock.com can help your there, too. When your baby is running a temperature, you don't want to take any chances. At Overstock.com, we have non-invasive, quick and easy to use ear and forehead baby thermometers to help you keep an eye on your baby's temperature. Overstock.com is your online shopping outlet for everything you need to keep your baby safe, healthy and happy.
