About Baby Safety Gates for Stairs
Stairways present an always present danger to your baby. While placement of baby gates offers a measure of safety, there are a lot of things to consider when using a safety gate.
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Placement
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Baby gates should block the bottom and top of the stairs. Climbing the stairs offers your baby just as many dangers as falling from the top.
Types
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The best baby gates don't give your baby a place to climb. Stay away from grid-like gates as they offer grip and foot holes that your baby will inevitably use to climb.
Attachment
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Your baby's weight can eventually topple the gate. If possible, bolt your gate into the wall. Be sure the bolts are in a stud so they don't just crumple the sheet rock.
Latch
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Always latch the gate. All it takes is one time to forget or run down the stairs for your baby to fall. If you have older children, this rule might require constant reminders.
Walker
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According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, tens of thousands of injuries each year result from baby walkers and stairs. Regardless of the baby gate, do not let your child near the stairs in a walker.
Supervision
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A baby gate does not make up for your supervision. Keeping a constant eye on your baby is the only proven method for her safety.
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