About Childproof Stairs

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By H.B. Dean
eHow Contributing Writer

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For families with babies and small children, childproofing the home is a priority. Houses with stairs should at the very least have safety gates. Child safety gates come in a mounted walk-through style or as a detachable barrier that is pressure mounted. In addition to the stairs themselves, there are safety products for the hand rails and for the banister.

Safety Gates

All staircases should have safety gates placed both at the top and bottom of the stairs. Plastic, metal and wooden child safety gates are available. For the top of the stairs, use gates that are mounted with hardware and have a latch; don't use gates that are secured with pressure. If you're using an old childproof gate, make sure that it doesn't have any "V" shapes in the gate that are large enough for a child to fit her neck or head through. When buying a new gate, look for ones that meet the safety standards set by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (see Resources below).

Mounting Adapters

The staircases in some homes have spindles on one side instead of walls. For these stairs, a "Y" spindle aid can be mounted to a balusters. These adapters secure in minutes, do not require holes to be drilled into the baluster, and can be used on most posts and with both hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted safety gates.

Handrails

Check the handrail; make sure it is securely hung and fits the complete length of the stairs. If the rail is too short, install handrail extensions like the type made from Care Rail, which make the rail run the full length of the stairs (see Resources below). There are also extensions that place a rail within the grasp of a toddler, allowing him to walk up or down the stair without having to strain or stand on tiptoe to hold on.

Banisters

In addition to securing the stairs, measure the width of the banister posts. If they are wider than 3 inches apart, install a barrier. You can cut a piece of Plexiglas to fit the banister and secure it with plastic cable ties. You can also buy One Step Ahead's Clear Banister Guard Kit, which is made from transparent plastic and comes in 5- or 15-foot lengths and the equipment needed to install (see Resources below). Whether using the Clear Banister Guard Kit or using making your own, purchase enough plastic to make the clear banister guard 33 inches tall.

Extra Safety

Place rugs or treads on the stairs to provide traction for toddlers to walk on. Keep the stairs free of toys, clothes, shoes or anything that a toddler might trip on or pick up while walking down the stairs.