Mounting a baby gate in front of my stairwell was quite the conundrum. I’m not talking regular baby gates, I’m talking extra tall ones.
There are several different types of stair gates you can buy when you go searching for one in stores. You have to do it only after you buy a stair gate though. It’s important that you measure your staircase to ensure you get a stable gate that will be safe for your kids, and also fit on your stairs.
When you’re adding a baby gate to your home, there are a few things to consider. Your stairwell is not one of them. I don’t care about that. Here I’ll explain how to mount a baby gate in front of your stairwell.
How To Mount A Baby Gate In Front Of My Stairwell
To mount a baby gate in front of my stairwell, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
- Drill with screwdriver bit
- Baby gate
- Mounting hardware (screws or wall anchors)
- Tape measure (if you want to be exact)
- Pencil to mark where the gate will go on the wall.
The first step is to install the baby gate at the top of your stairs. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to make holes in your wall where the baby gate will be attached with screws. We used a drill to do this, but you can use any tool that will make holes in drywall or plaster if yours isn’t already made for it (e.g., an awl).
Using a screwdriver or other appropriate tool, attach your newly drilled holes with baby gate hardware (you may need more than one piece).
Once all four sides are attached securely using screws or whatever method is required by your specific model of door/hallway barrier child safety device.
Measure the width of your stairwell. You will want to subtract about 3 inches for each side for the hinges, so if you have a 2′ wide stairwell you should end up with about 20″ (this will depend on how wide your gate is). This measurement will be important later when determining where to place holes in your wall.
Decide how high up on your wall you want it mounted (remembering that it needs to be high enough so that little hands cannot reach over it). Then mark where those holes will go using masking tape as shown in the picture below (it’s easier than drawing lines).
Using a drill bit slightly smaller than your screws (or nails if preferred), drill pilot holes into the wall where you marked them earlier. These should not go all the way through, just deep enough so that when you drive in your screws they won’t fall back out again when pressure is applied against them from behind.
Can You Use Pressure Mount Baby Gate for Stairs?
Yes, you can use a pressure-mount baby gate for stairs. The first thing you need to do is make sure the gate is installed in a way that it won’t move. It needs to be secure and not able to slide out of place.
If you are using one of those pressure mount gates that has a tension rod with a spring-loaded latch, then it’s important that you know how much pressure you need to apply to ensure the gate will stay closed.
If you don’t apply enough pressure, then there is a chance that your little one may be able to open the gate and fall down the stairs. If you apply too much pressure, then it may become difficult for adults to open the gate when needed.
Does a 2-Year-Old Need a Stair Gate?
The short answer is no. A great many 2-year-olds are perfectly capable of going up and down stairs without the benefit of a safety gate.
However, there are some situations where a stair gate may be appropriate:
If your child is a climber and has been known to scale the stairs, then a gate may keep them safe while you’re out of the house or sleeping.
If you have young children who like to play on or near the stairs, then a gate can help prevent accidents when you’re not around to supervise.
If your child has any sort of developmental delay or disability (including autism) that makes it difficult for him to understand danger, then a gate can help prevent falls and injuries.
If you have older kids who are likely to forget about little ones at home, then installing gates at all stairways can help keep them safe from themselves as well as from each other.
How Can I Make My Toddler’s Stairs Safer?
There are several ways to make toddler stairs safer.
- Place a gate at the top of your stairway and one at the bottom of the stairs to prevent your toddler from going up or down them. This will give you peace of mind and also keep your child from climbing over the gate if he gets curious about climbing up or down them.
- Use a baby gate on the bottom step so that it’s easier for your toddler to get up and down safely, but still keeps him safe from falling over the top steps and hurting himself.
- Put a small rug on each step and teach your child how to walk on it so that he doesn’t fall off of the edge while walking down or upstairs.
- Teach your child how to hold onto something while climbing up or down stairs so that he doesn’t fall over while moving forward or backward (this helps when they’re learning how to walk).
Conclusion
So, you’re in need of a quick and easy baby gate DIY project. You don’t have all the time and money in the world, but you need to keep your precious pets or children safe.
No problem, by following these instructions, you’ll be able to build a temporary gate in front of your stairs quickly and easily. And while it’s far from perfect, and won’t be effective against older kids, it’s still better than nothing at all.
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!