How to Child Proof Stairs

Children need adult supervision on stairs.

Before your child becomes mobile, you need to child-proof your home. When children start moving they get into everything, and your home needs the proper safety products to keep your baby safe. If your house has a staircase, you need to install baby gates and possibly a banister shield. It also helps you get used to opening and closing the gates before your baby becomes a toddler. Baby gates come in a variety of styles to match your decor and install quickly.

Instructions

1. Clear the stairs of clutter and toys. Children are enticed to retrieve their toys from the stairs. Plus, toys on the stairs pose a trip hazard for other household members.

2. Measure the spaces between the railing posts to see if they are less than three to four inches apart. Older houses may not conform to current safety standards for staircase railings. Install a banister shield along the staircase railings to keep your child from slipping between the posts and falling to the floor below.

3. Install baby gates at the top and bottom of your staircase. Find gates that fit your stairway openings. Pull on the gates after you install them to see if there's any movement. A secure gate should not slip or move when pulled.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjustable-length baby gates protect unusually wide staircase openings.

• At the top of a staircase, use gates that screw into the wall to keep a child from dislodging it and falling down the stairs.

References

• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors: Child-Proofing Windows and Stairs
• One Step Ahead: How to Childproof Your Home