Best Reviewed
Baby Safety Gates
- Best pressure-mounted baby safety gate The First Years Hands Free Gate *Est. $45
- Best safety gate for stairs KidCo Safeway *Est. $60
- Soft safety gate Evenflo Soft and Wide Crosstown Gate *Est. $35
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Best safety gate for stairs
- Hardware mount offers extra security
- Swings open in both directions
- Fits openings 24.75 to 43.5 inches
- Extension fits openings up to 66 inches
- Mounting leaves holes in the wall
- Expensive, especially with extensions
- Confusing directions
Reviewers say the KidCo Safeway is the best choice among hardware-mounted gates, which experts say are the only gates appropriate for use at the top of a stairway. The Safeway fits openings between 24.75 and 43.5 inches, and can accommodate openings up to 66 inches with the purchase of an extension kit (*Est. $35). The Safeway swings open in both directions, but can be configured to swing in only one direction so that it won't swing out over the open stairway. Reviewers also like that the whole gate swings open -- it doesn't restrict the walk-through opening like pressure-mounted gates do. A few drawbacks: Installing the Safeway -- and most hardware-mounted gates -- requires putting holes in the wall, which some reviewers don't care for. Additionally, we encountered several complaints about the Safeway having confusing directions, and some owners said it was difficult to install. If you're looking for a gate to block the opening between two rooms, and don't want to put holes in the wall, you may want to consider a more affordable pressure-mounted gate like The First Years Hands Free Gate (*Est. $45) or the Evenflo Soft and Wide Crosstown Gate (*Est. $35).
The KidCo Safeway is included in testing conducted by ConsumerReports.org, which provides the best head-to-head comparison of baby gates in terms of convenience, design safety and security. The most recent edition of the book "Baby Bargains" also mentions the KidCo in its discussion of baby gates. Good Housekeeping magazine includes a recommendation for the Safeway, while owner opinions from Amazon.com, ToysRUs.com and Target.com offer insights about the product's long-term durability.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org last rated baby safety gates in April 2007. This latest roundup includes the KidCo Safeway, which is rated for design safety, security and convenience.
Review: Safety Gates, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, April 2007
2. Baby BargainsDetails/Subscribe
Consumer advocates Denise and Alan Fields discuss various options for baby safety gates, including recommendations based on their own experience and feedback received from their readers.
Review: Baby Bargains, Denise and Alan Fields, Eighth edition, 2009
3. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
Good Housekeeping provides the results of testing conducted by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute for various baby safety products. The KidCo Safeway is one of two baby safety gates that earn recommendations.
Review: How to Childproof Your Home, Caroline Sorgen, Not Dated
4. Amazon.com
Over a hundred owners post reviews of the KidCo Safeway on Amazon.com. The Safeway earns an average rating of four stars out of five, with most reviewers agreeing that it's very sturdy and suitable for use at the top of the stairs. However, there are a few complaints about challenging installation.
Review: KidCo Safeway Gate, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Dec. 2009
5. ToysRUs.com
Nearly 50 reviewers comment on the KidCo Safeway. The Safeway garners three stars out of five. Main complaints include difficult installation and use.
Review: KidCo Safeway Gate - 30-1/2", Contributors to ToysRUs.com, As of Dec. 2009
6. Target.com
Thirty reviewers give the KidCo Safeway an average rating of 3.5 stars out of five. A few reviews dated several years ago include complaints about breaking parts or children being able to open the gate.
Review: Safeway Wall Mount Top of Stairs Gate, Contributors to Target.com, As of Dec. 2009
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