If you have kids, the last thing you need is for one of them to trip and fall down the stairs. While there are many ways to prevent this from happening, one of the most popular methods is using an accordion gate at the top of your stairs.
Safety is the main concern for parents, especially for those with a newborn. That’s why it’s essential to make sure that baby gates used for the stairs are safe.
They designed accordion baby gates to make small spaces safer for your baby. One such place is the stairs. However, are our accordion gates safe for the top of the stairs?
Unfortunately, no. Accordion gates don’t provide adequate safety at the top of stairs because they’re too easy for kids to climb over or squeeze through. The diamond-shaped openings with wide Vs at the top can trap a baby’s head.
This could cause choking. And while there are some safer alternatives out there (like pressure mount gates), it’s still important that you know what to look for before buying one so knowing it will keep your child safe when using it regularly near any area where there is sufficient space for them to play.
Especially in their rooms or close to any other area where they might trip and fall down if not properly protected with items meant specifically designed for their safety in mind.
The Best Baby Gates (Alternatives To Accordion Gates)
The best baby gate should be easy to install, durable, and sturdy enough not to fall over easily when bumped into or leaned against. It should also have a wide enough opening so that you can easily get around it with a stroller or shopping cart.
Below is our list of the best baby gates available right now.
1. Toddleroo Gate by North States
The North States Easy Swing & Lock Gate is a great option if you’re looking for a gate that’s easy to install and take down.
They make this gate of high-quality steel and have a non-slip finish. It’s easy to use and can be installed in just minutes. The locking mechanism is simple and secure, making it a good choice for parents who need to keep their little ones safe while their eyes are not with them.
2. Retract-A-Gate 52″ White by Smart Retract
This product will work with most types of flooring, as long as there is enough clearance under the gate to accommodate the spring-loaded wheels on each side of the gate.
The gate itself has been constructed from high-quality steel and plastic, which makes it both sturdy and durable.
3. Cardinal Gates Model
The Cardinal Gates model is a pressure-mounted gate that is extremely easy to install. It’s also one of the most visually appealing baby gates on the market.
This is a great gate for those looking to keep their child safe without having something that looks like a childproofing device. Just place it where you want it to tighten down until the pressure mounts until they’re snug against the wall or banister. They make pressure mounts gate from durable materials that won’t crack or break.
What I Should Look for When Buying a Baby Gate?
If you decide to buy a gate for your baby, there are several things you should keep in mind before making your purchase.
1. Style
The first thing you need to consider when buying a baby gate is style. Whether it’s wooden or metal, you’ll want something that blends well with your home décor and doesn’t look like an eyesore in the middle of your living room or kitchen.
This can be important if you have wooden floors or walls, which may be prone to scratches and dents if not properly cared for.
2. Safety
The most important consideration when buying a baby gate is safety. All gates should have an easy-to-open latch that doesn’t require force greater than 5 pounds of pressure or squeezing together two parts of the latch mechanism; this ensures that children cannot open them on their own.
Gates should also be tall enough that children can’t climb over them, or they should have top rails that go all the way to the ceiling so they can’t slip through a gap between the top rail and the bottom panel of the gate.
3. Installation
Some baby gates require tools to install while others don’t. If you’re like me, you may not have tools readily available when it’s time to use the gate.
If this is the case, look for a gate that can be easily installed without tools or with minimal effort using just your hands and body weight.
4. Quality
If you’re buying a baby gate for your home, then it’s important to find one that’s made from high-quality materials. The last thing you want is for your baby to be able to squeeze through the bars, or worse, get hurt by them.
Quality is important when it comes to baby gates. You’ll want to make sure you have one that’s durable and sturdy, so it can’t be easily knocked down or misused by your child.
5. Size
Baby gates come in many sizes, so make sure you measure the opening you need to block off before you buy.
Will the gate fit in your doorway? How big is your doorway? Will the gate fit around your stairway railing? Is the size of the opening what you had in mind?
If you have more than one opening that needs to be blocked off, then you might install an expandable gate or a pressure-mounted gate. These types of gates can be adjusted in height and width, so they can be used in larger areas.
Conclusion
In the end, I think it’s a good idea to avoid using accordion-style gates at the top of stairways for safety reasons. They’re designed for low or mid-level uses, such as doors or hallways.
When used as a top-of-stairs gate, I think you’ve got a much greater risk of your child being injured from either tripping over or head bumping into the gate, which is not acceptable.
Hi, This is Emma Baster; As a mom, I spend my free time caring for my kids. I’ve read a lot on the Internet to improve my childcare skill and bring the best to my kids. Eruditemommy shares my knowledge and experience through helpful posts. I hope you enjoy them!
