- Buy, install and latch a baby gate at the top and bottom of the stairs. As children grow older, they will inevitably attempt to climb the gate. Make sure your baby gate is either solid or has vertical bars, as horizontal bars and grid-like gates offer easy climbing.
- Good parenting relies on adequate supervision. Even with baby gates, your baby should not go anywhere near the stairs without you watching. Your steady eye is the only guarantee that your baby remains safe.
- Baby walkers and stairs do not mix. According to the U.S Product Consumer Safety Commission (CPCS), approximately 21,000 injuries involving baby walkers occur each year-predominately involving staircases. Before placing your child in his walker, make sure he has no access to the stairway.
- Under close supervision, allow your baby to crawl on her hands and knees up the stairs. It's important that your baby grows used to the stairs to minimize the chance of accidents. As your child grows stronger, hold his hand as he attempts to walk up the stairs. Repeated practice will teach him balance as he climbs.
- Even if your child seems to have the stairs under control, you should strongly consider carrying her up the stairs if no hand rail is present. Walking on stairways without handrails to steady and catch your fall should be treated as dangerous scenarios, especially for your baby.
- Teach your baby to crawl down the stairs on her belly. To prevent toppling head over heels, direct her to scoot down feet first.
