Understanding and Selecting Child Safety Gates

Child Safety Gate Selection – Tips From a Professional Baby Proofer

Selecting the right child safety gate can, in many cases, be a complicated endeavor. Understanding the uses and applications of various types of gates and then applying that knowledge to your situation can make the buying process much easier.

Keep in mind that child safety gates, as most baby proofing products, are designed to be used until the child is about 2-1/2 years of age.

First, consider the quality and construction of the gate. Be sure the gate and attaching hardware have no sharp edges. If the gate employs slats as opposed to a solid panel or mesh panel, make sure the slats are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. The gate should be a minimum of 29 inches tall, however, some special taller gates are available if you desire.

Next, consider the operation of the gate. It should be easy for you to operate and difficult for the toddler to learn to operate. A very good example of this it the Stairway Special Gate by Cardinal Gates. This gate requires a good amount of dexterity and very little strength to operate. I know of 5 year old children that are unable to operate this gate. Also consider the ability to operate the gate with one hand. There may be times when you will be carrying the baby and have to pass through the gate. A gate that has a self-latching feature may be a consideration that appeals to you as well.

Finally, look at how and where the gate is going to be used. If the gate is going to be used in a small opening between the kitchen and dining room, then a gate that is completely removable is best. If you live in a single level home and want to gate the toddler in their room, a semi-permanent pressure gate should be fine. If the gate is for use at the top of a staircase, then a permanent, hardware mounted gate is the best choice. If the gate needs to be mounted at an angle, then that added feature must be considered.

Types of gates – There are 4 types of child safety gates. Temporary Gates,  Semi-Permanent Gates, Permanent Gates, and Specialty Gates.

Temporary Gates – A temporary gate would be a removable pressure gate that is put into place when in use and completely removed when not in use. This type of gate is usually made up of two sliding panels that use a locking bar to apply pressure from the panels to the doorway or opening where the gate is installed.

The advantages of this type of gate are – Low price, ease of installation, ease of use, the ability to completely and quickly remove it from the opening and the ability to take it with you on road trips.

The disadvantages of this type of gate are – It is the most easily dislodged (this type of gate is not recommended for stairway use), and it is very difficult to put in place with one hand.

Semi-Permanent Gates – These gates are also pressure mounted, however they install and mount differently than the temporary pressure gates. Semi-permanent pressure gates mount more like a hardware mounted gate without having to drill into doorways. This type of gate employs a door surrounded by a frame that is mounted with pressure applied against the opening. Since the frame stays in place even when the gate door is opened there is a bottom frame bar that creates a potential tripping hazard while going through the door. This type of gate is designed to stay in place and not be often removed from the opening.

The advantages of this type of gate are – No need to drill and make holes in your doorways, installation is easier and faster than permanent hardware mounted gates, and most models can be operated with one hand.

The disadvantages are – It can still be dislodged so it is not recommended for use at the top or bottom of a stairway, and because of the amount of pressure applied, this gate can easily make dents in drywall (it works better against solid wood in a doorway). The bottom frame bar can create a potential tripping hazard.

Permanent Gates – These are gates that are installed with hardware by drilling and anchoring into walls and doorways. They are also sometimes attached, on one side, to railings, banisters and balusters on stairways. Permanent hardware mounted gates are the most sturdy of all the gates and are the gates to select for stairway use or for areas where a "gate failure" would most likely cause injury to the toddler.

The advantages of this type of gate are – It is the most secure type of gate installation and cannot be dislodged by the toddler. Some models can be mounted at an angle. You can find models that are self-closing, self-latching or both. There are models that can be mounted at an angle which can be helpful when mounting the gate on a staircase. Some models allow the gate to be removed leaving the brackets attached which allows for an easy pass through when needed.

The disadvantages are – The mounting of these types of gates can be involved. Mounting to the railing side of a staircase can get tricky and involve the use of accessories or special mounting techniques.

Specialty Gates – Gates for special uses include hearth gates used to keep the toddler out of the fireplace area and gates such as the Kidco Configure gate which can be used to gate off a large area by simply adding panels, and can be used on angles and around corners.

Keeping in mind that styles and models of particular products come and go, I have tried to arm you with information designed to help you no matter what gates are currently on the market.

Remember – Baby proofing provides an additional element of safety, there is no substitute for adult supervision.

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