Children magically know exactly where they should not be going, and they do everything in their power to walk to those dangerous areas in your household. As a parent, you’re often left with two options. 
You can either be always alert and watch your child at all times- which isn’t something that’s actually possible- or you can baby proof the house until it’s child friendly enough that you don’t feel anxious when your kid is out of sight.
Kids have little to no regard for their own safety or for anyone else’s, and more often than not, curiosity wins over all warnings from their parents. This is where safety gates come into rescue, often preventing your toddler from tumbling down the stairs. However, before you can shop for the best safe baby gates for stairs from Modernbabyadvice, you should first have a clear idea of what you should be looking for in a safety gate.
This is your child’s safety we’re talking about! We have to be thorough. Let’s take a look at the things you should consider before choosing a baby gate.
Exactly Which Place In Your House Are You Buying the Baby Gate for?
There are different kinds of baby gates out there for different entry points. Baby gates exist for doorways, the bottom and top of stairs, or even for spaces in your house that are odd. There are baby gates you can simply install to ensure your toddler doesn’t come in contact with a household pet.
For doorways and gates for temporary places, pressure-mounted gates are the best option. However, pressure-mounted gates shouldn’t be used for stairs, for the top of one, at least, even if they are sturdy. While it would be hard to make pressure gates budge, if your child were to crash into it with considerable force, there’s a chance it could be displaced.
Which Mounting Method Do You Want To Go for?
The way you mount the gate is dependent on how you want to use it. Is there a chance you will be changing the place where you mount the gate often? In that case, pressure-mounted gates are the obvious choice, with their easy installation process and minimal hardware in the setup.
If you don’t mind damaging your walls a little, you can go for hardware-mounted gates, which are screwed into the wall or doorway. These aren’t easily removable.
Will the Gate Face Considerable Traffic?
If the baby gate were in an area where people pass by frequently, for example, the entryway of your house or the kitchen, you would want to opt for baby gates that come with a door. This way, people can pass through without any trouble.
If the baby gate is needed for an area where you don’t have much to do, but you want to keep your kid out, barrier gates are the best option. You have to entirely remove the gate if you want to pass through it.
What Is Your Preferred Material?
There is quite a range of options when it comes to material for baby gates. The price of the gates also changes a lot, depending on what kind of material you use. You can find baby safety gates made out of plastic, fabric, wood, or metal.
You want to consider the age of your kid in this case. If it’s a really young child, maybe the fabric is the best option. They can’t force the gate open, nor do they have any chance of getting hurt because of the baby gate. Plastic, wood, and metal gates are more suitable for slightly older kids.
What About the Design?
Now, this is one area that’s about your personal choice alone. Once you have decided on the type of baby gate you want to install in your home, you can find one that will fit in with the aesthetic of your household. Just because you want to ensure your kid’s safety doesn’t mean you have to settle for a baby gate that feels out of place in your home. After all, there are enough design options available for you to choose from.
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking for baby gates for stairs, you have to be really, really careful with your choices. Ensure the one you choose complies with all standards. Anything less is simply not acceptable.
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