Having an active baby on the loose around the house is challenging for any parent to say the least.
Baby proofing the entire house is an absolute necessity and if your home has stairs baby gates for stairs are a must have, not just a desirable addition. Babies develop at such a rate at this age that just because Junior couldn’t climb the stairs last week (or yesterday) does not mean he will not succeed today. Baby gates for stairs are essential to ensure that that little triumph does not become a tragedy.
Choosing the Right Baby Gates for Stairs
Just as important as buying baby gates for stairs is making sure you choose the right ones for your home. The best type of baby gate for stairs is one that is hardware mounted. Pressure gates are great for use in other areas of the house like keeping Baby out of the kitchen while cooking is going on, but are not stable enough for continued stair use.
Baby Gates for Stairs Shopping Considerations
Keep these tips in mind as you shop for baby gates for stairs and you should end up with the right one for you, your baby and your home:
- When it comes to the difference between construction types the basic choices you will be faced with are metal or hardwood. Hardwood bay gates for stairs are often the better option aesthetically, especially as they are likely to have toy remain installed for at least a couple of years. If you choose a wooden baby gate opt for one with rounded corners instead of sharper squared edges for extra baby safety. A metal baby gate is a little stronger in terms of construction but often not quite as aesthetically appealing. Either option is a great choice as long as the baby gate is properly and securely installed once you get it home.
- The slats on baby gates for stairs are an important consideration as well. Baby gates with vertical slats work best as there is always the possibility that adventurous babies will try to climb horizontal slats. Vertical slats on baby gates for stairs should have no larger gap between them than three inches but if you can find one with two inch slats that is even better. The smaller the gap between the slats the lower the chance that baby can get his foot on that bottom rail.
- Know your measurements before you shop. That may sound like a Homer Simpson type “doh” statement to make, but anybody who works in a store that sells baby gates for stairs can tell you that they see the same scenario over and over again. Mom and Dad come in to buy a baby gate for the stairs but then cannot remember how wide their staircase is. It’s not that they didn’t take all the measurements; it’s just that the sheet of paper is sitting on the kitchen table at home.
- Once you have chosen the right baby gates for stairs for your home proper installation is crucial. Ask in the store before you buy if you think installation looks like it might be tricky, the clerks should be more than happy to help you and offer installation pointers. In addition the wonderful thing about the internet when it comes to baby gate installation is that most manufacturers now post how to install video guides online, which are a lot easier to follow than those tiny black and white instruction diagrams.
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