How to Child Proof a Gate Upstairs
Stairs can potentially be a perilous area for children and babies. Their young bodies still lack the coordination and control to mount and descend them successfully. What’s more, openings on banisters and railings provide manifold opportunities for accidents. Smart parents use a safety gate, especially upstairs, to keep their kids from harm. But this one step is not enough. Youngsters can be escape artists, which can land them in trouble. Truly cautious caretakers will ensure that the entire staircase has been made secure.
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Instructions
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Pick an appropriate safety gate for the top of the stairs. The best gates are heavy duty and lock automatically whenever they are closed. Refrain from gates that can open from either direction, those with doors that are too narrow, or gates with high thresholds over which people could trip.
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Mount your safety gate properly. Adhere to all directions provided for constructing the gate and putting it into place. Make sure the gate doesn't open over the top of the stairs.
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Light the stairs well and keep them clear. Staircases and other areas of high foot traffic should be clearly illuminated. Any obstacles or toys should be kept off the stairs. Any liquid spills, which could cause slips, should be cleaned up and dried immediately. Also, avoid using throw rugs on stairs, which don't always provide sure footing.
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Employ a banister shield. This can be used for either a banister or for a safety gate, particularly if the posts in the banister or gate are more than 3 inches apart — enough room for a child's limb to get caught in. Using a transparent banister shield is helpful if you don't want the equipment to detract from your home's decor.
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Install a handrail on both sides of the stairs. One of these handrails should be placed at a height for grownups — 30 to 34 inches higher than the staircase tread's nosing. The other handrail should be sized for kids. Be sure to screw the railing tightly into the wall studs.
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Complete the job with a railing protector. This typically a nylon netting that is installed along the railing, designed to stop children from falling down or lodging their head or limbs in the railing.
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References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Lifesize/Getty Images
