Baby Safety Gates discussion (merged)

Counting_Pennies_2

The problem you will probably find about the pressure only gates are that they have a bar at the bottom so a dreadful tripping hazard for the top of the stairs. I personally would recommend a screwing in one, as it is very easy to fill in the holes later on, and to be honest it will probably be a few years yet before you will be taking them down if you plan any others.

I have the roller blind variety which I love and would highly recommend them.

Other friends use the Babydan and Lindam, I think it is more a case of shopping around and seeing what you prefer.

http://www.kiddicare.com/invt/stglaskgrz?N=375

MadMonkey

I agree with getting a screw on one - the pressure ones are dangrous as they are easily tripped over and the gap is not that wide when you are carrying a baby.

We got ours from Mothercare.

tiamai_d

The pressure gates don't work too well at all! The work good for door frames, which is where I use them. One on the bedroom door to stop him wandering at night, and one on the kitchen door (for the dog).

If the top of your stairs is wider than a door frame, then you have to get an extension pack and they just don't hold as good.

Plus they all have a bar along the bottom!

Screwing them into the wall is a pain, but for safety it has to be done.

My parents have one at the top of their stairs (again for a dog) and they used two straps of wood attached to the walls then the gate screwed into that, helps to keep it more stable.

Justie

I haven't got to the stair gate stage yet but we have a dog gate and I'd echo what everyone says - pressure ones are good in doorways where you're on the same level but I wouldn't have one at the top of the stairs especially if it's braced between a banister and a wall.

*Louise*

I bought two Lindam ones at the weekend:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3753282.htm

£22.99 each, and they can be held either by pressure, or there is attachments that you can use to screw it into place if required.

Apparently it's a Winner of Mother & Baby Gold Award for 'Best Safety Product' and Prima Baby 'Best Buy' award.

Claudie

We had the Kiddicare gates as well and I can't praise them enough. For us one of the benefits was that they can be rolled up against the wall out of sight when not needed and they can be used in areas that may not be standard sizes.

flea72

just giving my view. but i have never used stairgates with any of my children. id rather they knew the safe way to get up and down stairs/steps, as there are lots of places we go, where there arent stairgates to protect them.

obviously going up stairs isnt that dangerous, but for coming down, i always taught my toddlers to turn around near the top of the stairs and come down backwards on their tummy, or by bumping step by step on their bum.

tbh, i think ive had more accidents myself on the stairs just walking (brain says step, but leg ignores lol), than my kids have ever had

Flea

Milky_Mocha

I've also got the Lascal Kiddiguard but can someone please tell me, do you find it incredibly noisy to open? We have four and they all rattle loudly when opening so not sure if they've been fixed wrongly or if they are a faulty lot. I bought them from Kiddicare. They were approx £43 or less each but with the noise I'm tempted to take them all down as its a nuisance.

Savvy_Sue

By all means put a gate on his bedroom door, but I'm with the "teach him how to get down safely" brigade as far as the stairs go!

bumpybecky

Milky_Mocha wrote: »

I've also got the Lascal Kiddiguard but can someone please tell me, do you find it incredibly noisy to open? We have four and they all rattle loudly when opening so not sure if they've been fixed wrongly or if they are a faulty lot. I bought them from Kiddicare. They were approx £43 or less each but with the noise I'm tempted to take them all down as its a nuisance.

if you keep the button pressed down while it winds back in, it's almost silent takes two hands though!