Related Sponsors

What are Baby Gates?

Home » Child Safety » Baby Gates » What are Baby Gates?

Each year, more than 2.3 million children age 14 and younger are treated at emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, according to National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Infants are most likely to fall from furniture, baby walkers, and stairs; in fact, 76 percent of baby walker-related injuries are caused by falls down stairs.

Prevention is key. Nothing, of course, will ever take the place of parental supervision. There’s no getting around that. However, baby gates, installed properly, could be a literal lifesaver when it comes to keeping your children safe. Baby gates are also a handy tool for keeping kids or pets corralled, making your job a bit easier.

There are two basic types of baby gates: Pressure gates, or tension-mounted gates, and hardware-mounted gates. Pressure gates generally cost less and are easier to install. However, they are also much easier to knock out of place. Also, these gates usually must be removed and replaced each time you want to get through an opening, meaning they often don’t have a swinging door that lets you through. Parents often choose to just climb over the gates instead of removing them each time they pass through a room or go down the stairs, and that actually increases the chances of injury to the parent—and to the child he or she is carrying. For this reason, it’s best to use pressure-mounted gates to separate two rooms on the same level. Never use pressure-mounted gates at the top of stairways.
Hardware-mounted gates use screws to attach to walls and banisters. These gates generally cost more, and are more secure. Generally, this type of gate is recommended for between doorways, and at the top and bottom of stairways, when installed securely. These gates open and close like doors, making them more convenient.

Next Page: What should I consider when choosing a gate?

Related Baby Gates Articles