Don’t Chance Your Baby’s Safe Keeping – Fit A Child Gate Now!

He did it! He took his first step. Now there is no holding him back. That was my first thought when my son started walking, but I soon became aware of all the hazards now confronting him, especially the double set of stairs we had in our home.

Where To Install A Baby Safety Gate?

The function of a stair gate is to help protect the little ones from the hazards around them, and should be installed in places like the top of stairs to prevent the child from falling down. Or at the bottom of the stairs to prevent them from climbing up, and in most cases both top and bottom.

The minimum protection a parent can give their toddlers is the installation of a stair gate, at both the top and bottom of a staircase. At the age of six months a child is learning independent movement and the curiosity that goes with it. A child falls, on their tiny butts, again and again before they are able to control their balance. After each fall and a quick kiss from mommy they are off again. This is a 24/7 job to keep them safe from harm.

There are many areas of your home that lend to possible dangers for the toddler. The most dangerous of these is the kitchen. Until your child reaches the age of understanding, it would be safer for him/her to be kept out of the kitchen with the use of a stair gate.

Other dangers also exist. Furniture in a living room or a dining room may have pointed edged furniture. A fall against such furniture could cause a serious injury to a child. Exposed electrical wires and cables in a home office offers a serious danger to a toddler.

Develop a safety plan. Go through your home and find potential hazards to your toddler. Keeping your child away from these dangers is your first priority. Not all homes are the same. Some have staircases, sometimes more than one, and others have no staircases. Some have basements, some don’t.

Which Stair Gate Is Right For Your Child And Family?

Okay, you’ve decided which areas in your home you need to keep your curious toddler away from and how you want to proceed to secure these areas.

Stair gates will accommodate any situation you are faced with. Irregular, narrow or wide gaps are the type of areas covered by today’s stair gates. Straight lines have auto closing, multi panel configurations can be installed around an open staircase or even a section of corner of a room.

Once-upon-a-time installing a stair gate made your home a prison. For everyone not just your toddler, but no more. Manufacturer have become aware of the realities, of what it means to confine family members along with toddlers. The safety of the toddler is of prime concern and always will be. However, parents can now choose different styles of stair gates that compliments the interior of their home. Colors, like silver, black, white, and wood finishes like oak, gun tree, mahogany and beechwood are readily available.

What Kind Of Fit – Pressure Or Screw?

The most popular of the stair gates is the pressure fitted variety. There is no need to show your DIY skills. No need to drill holes in walls or banister posts. Many of these gates have an auto-closure features, eliminating the worry of a gate being left opened due to carelessness. Some stair gates of this kind feature a light indicator. This light indicator warns when a gate has been nudged out of alignment and needs to be adjusted.

Pressure fitted gates have a trip bar. This bar is at the bottom, on the floor, and runs the length of the gate when the stair gate is mounted. In most cases, this trip bar, presents no problem. But, if the gate is at the top of the stairs, it could prove to be dangerous. Especially when carrying a laundry basket or a baby. A safety hazard to be avoided if at all possible. Additional step plates can be purchased to allow you to convert the trip bar into a slight ramp. This is a definite recommendation if you do intend to install a fitted pressure gate.

In a screw fitted gate the main feature is that there is no trip bar to be installed. The screw fittings on this type of gate are much like those on a barn door and without the need for a horizontal bar to keep it in place. Reputable stores in the UK sell both the pressure and screw fitted gate, and both types of gates have been rigorously tested for durability and safety.

Once the screws are fastened, if a screw gate has been banged into or leaned on the chances are that it will not need to be adjusted.

Many also come with quick release fittings, giving the parents, grandparents or caregivers the option of removing the gate when not in use and putting it back up when children or grandchildren are once again with them. Simply slotting the gate back into its fittings.

When And How Long Does A Stair Gate Need To Remain In Place?

When! As soon as your little one becomes active. To be on the safe side it should be installed before you need it, so that you’re prepared for when the mischief begins. Trust me, you’ll be ready, prepared and glad of having the stair gate in place.

This should occur around sixth months, however, this timing is also dependent upon the child’s growing abilities. It is during this time that your child will be showing better walking skills and becoming more aware of the dangers, recognize them and avoid them. Now, perhaps, you can consider removing the gate.

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