Choosing Between Baby Safety Gates or Fences

Safety gates and fences can keep a baby from harm.

Both safety gates and safety fences are designed to keep babies, toddlers and young children in a certain area or out of another. Each type of containment device is meant for a specific purpose and one cannot substitute for the other.

Function

Baby safety gates are made to go across door frames or secure a staircase, both at the top and the bottom. Gates require walls or handrails for mounting and aren't meant to stand on their own. Baby fences are made of sections that are hinged together that can be angled to make the unit stand unsupported. Safety fences protect babies from an area of a room, such as a fireplace. Also, multiple fences can be hinged together to create a large area to contain the baby.

Types

Safety gates come in two styles. The frames of permanent gates are mounted to the side walls or banisters with hardware and stay in place until they're uninstalled. Pressure-mounted gates adjust to fit the door or wall opening and remain in place by applying pressure against the opening. Safety fences are expandable, relatively lightweight and are made to be set up temporarily.

Warning

Consumer Reports, along with most safety gate manufacturers, recommends using only permanent gates at the top of a staircase, since pressure-mounted gates can succumb to weight and come free from the opening. Safety fences are meant to deter crawling babies; fences are generally too lightweight to safely keep a toddler in or out of an area, as the child can push the fence down.

References

• Consumer Reports: Safety Gates: Where You Need Them, How to Install Them
• BabyCenter: When Should I Put Up Safety Gates to Protect My Baby?
• Overstock.com: Safety Gates vs. Fences