We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
If there’s one place in the house that’s prone to accidents, it’s the stairs. Stairs are designed to allow people to travel from one floor to the other without wasting a lot of space. There’s just one minor issue: we weren’t made to climb stairs naturally, and it’s something we need to learn as we grow up. Eventually, climbing stairs will feel second nature. But as kids, it can prove to be a challenge.
Now, if you think that kids can struggle with stairs, think about how a baby would fare. Of course, babies should not be allowed anywhere near stairs, but that doesn’t stop an inquisitive baby from wandering off as they please while unsupervised. To minimize the chances of this happening, you can invest in the best baby gates for stairs.
Baby gates are an essential part of baby proofing a home. This is what you should know about baby gates for stairs.
There’s a good chance that you’ve got an injury by falling down some stairs at some point in your life. And that’s not a surprise considering how easy it is to slip and fall down a flight of stairs if you aren’t careful. Many of us traverse flights of stairs on a daily basis without fail, but it only takes one slip-up to cause a deadly accident that can lead to broken bones, or worse.
Babies just aren’t able to traverse stairs. Even toddlers who know how to walk will find it very difficult and even almost impossible to walk through. That’s why you need to use baby gates to ensure that your child doesn’t walk down the stairs when unattended.
Baby proofing is the act of making your home safer for your child by minimizing possible hazards they may come across. This may be in the form of chemicals like detergent, as well as items like vases and pottery. Baby proofing can be difficult without the right tools, and baby gates are what you need when limiting access to certain parts of the house.
Baby gates act as barriers from one area of the house to the other, and you can think of them like borders between countries. Your baby can’t just pass through them without a permit, which in this case is your personal approval. Baby gates are impossible for kids to open unless they both have the ability to reach the safety lock and the smarts to open it. So until your kid’s old enough to figure that out, they won’t be getting past the gate any time soon.
Even a well-trained pet can sometimes make mistakes or do mischievous deeds without your supervision. Baby gates can also serve as pet gates in this case, preventing your pets from moving to other parts of the house. You can also use this to keep your pets away from the baby if that’s what you prefer.
Not all animals, however, will be contained by baby gates. For example, cats will usually find a way above or through them.
Baby gates are usually installed in one of two ways: pressure or drilling. Pressure simply has the gate push on the sides of the doorway to the point where it stays in place. On the other hand, drilling involves drilling in components of the gate directly on the wall or another part of the house.
In general, you’ll want to stick to the pressure-based installation if you don’t want to damage or alter the house. Go for the drill method if you need something sturdier and more reliable for long-term use.
Baby gates can vary pretty greatly in price. For example, you can get an affordable baby gate for just around $20-$40. Conversely, some baby gates can go for $100 or more. Usually, these expensive gates are made out of less common materials such as wood or are larger, resulting in higher material costs.
Upgrade your childproofing with the Momcozy Retractable Baby Gate—a versatile solution designed for both safety and convenience. This extra-wide outdoor retractable gate spans up to 55″ wide and 33″ high, providing ample coverage for various spaces. When not in use, the mesh can be effortlessly retracted, saving space and facilitating easy storage.
Unlike traditional iron gate rails, this new retractable gate eliminates bottom rails, ensuring there’s no tripping hazard. The design prioritizes safety while maintaining a sleek and unobtrusive appearance.
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-designed and secure retractable baby gate. Momcozy brings you a solution that combines functionality, safety, and ease of use, making it an ideal addition to your childproofing measures.
There are a few things you need to consider when picking a baby gate for stairs: compatibility, sturdiness, and quality. This gate by Safety 1st checks all the boxes and is a customer favorite for all the good reasons. Minimalist in design, it’s very easily adjustable and allows you to set just how wide it can be. This also ensures that you get a perfect fit no matter where you install the gate. You can get the gate either in its original size or as extra tall, making it perfect for those who have multiple stairways to gate off.
You don’t need to have children to be a parent. Many adults own pets instead of having kids, and they, too, need care when around stairs. Although some animals may be able to walk over stairs just fine, others will find it difficult. This gate by Tokkidas ensures that you can keep both kids and pets from places you don’t want them to be in. In particular, this baby gate is perfect for dogs and cats because of how tall the gate is. You can place them in doorways and other places throughout the house to create designated no-pet zones if necessary.
At first glance, you’d think that this safety gate is just like any other baby gate, but it’s got a few extra features that make it different from other products. For one, it’s got this neat little auto-close option that ensures you don’t end up leaving the gate open by accident when you walk through. You can also leave it to hold open if you want your pets to move in and out of the area. The durability of this gate is also not to be understated. Even if your pets or kids are a little rowdy, it won’t budge.
So far, we’ve taken a look at baby gates that fit through doorways and other relatively narrow spaces. But what if you need something a lot wider? This is where this stairway gate by Regalo comes in! Made to expand up to a whopping 40 inches wide and 28 inches in height, it can cover an entire stairway and wider hallways. This way, your kid and pets can’t just climb or jump over the gate. With a safety lock feature to prevent unwanted opening, the gate is perfect for kids aged two years and below.
Got a rustic theme going on at home? Why spoil the look with some modern baby gate when you’ve got this fancy gate by Summer Infant? The gate is wooden in design, featuring your traditional wooden shapes and colors. It’s also got a great accommodation range of 48 inches, providing extra length should it prove necessary.
While it’s listed at just under $100, it’s worthwhile if your house can benefit from its wooden, stylish design.
A: Yes, they are. Baby gates can only be opened by adults or kids who are old enough to do so. If you have an eye for a locking mechanism, consider checking the product description as not all gates will come with this feature. While some gates will actually slide to fit between two opposite walls, others feature a closing feature.
A: While baby gates can also be used for pets, they may not work on all pets, like cats. Cats are impressive jumpers, so you should always go with a gate that’s taller in design.
A: Baby gates are best placed by the stairs as this area is one of the most dangerous parts of the house for your baby. Other areas they may prove beneficial is the kitchen.