Stairgates

E
very child wants to explore so it is hardly surprising that as soon as they are able, they attempt to climb up and down stairs. The trouble is that they don't get it right first time. Unfortunately, it is not possible for mums to keep her eyes on her child the whole time and prevention is better than being sorry. Ideally, they will need one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom although many parents won’t buy more than one!

Many stairgates are supplied with small plastic cups which attach permanently to the wall. Often the instructions imply that these can be stuck in place but for vulnerable places like the top of the stairs they will almost undoubtedly need screwing into place. Therefore a surprising number of mums preferred a gate which is permanently hinged to the wall as these gates usually opened wider and there wasn’t a bar across the bottom to trip the unwary.

The safest stairgates are those which are permanently fixed in position with screws and have a proper gate which you open and walk through. Being permanently fastened they do not need the horizontal bar at the bottom which can trip the unwary.

Moveable stairgate are held in position by tension. They can be just as safe as long as they are fitted properly every time. Cups should always be screwed to the wall, although some the packaging of some stairgates seem to imply that sticking the cups is good enough – it’s not! Moveable gates will always have a bar at floor level can trip the unwary.

Barriers are the cheapest form of protection, but the least convenient. These need to be removed every time and fitted again. Because this is a chore, mums are likely simply to step over it with the risk of tripping and falling downstairs.. Alternatively, they won't bother putting it back in place, and this, of course, is when accidents happen.

Most safety gates are made of metal but there are some which are made of wood or plastic and a couple which are fabric. Fabric gates can be folded and stored or even taken on holiday! Some are easier to use than others and some close automatically when left open – a boon when carrying a child.

Safety gates are a vital piece of equipment for parents. Although they are not needed until the child is six months or so, it’s worth broaching the subject of safety when they first come to look at equipment. It’s more important than simply making another sale – though every little helps!!
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