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- Introduction
- Permanent Baby Gates{1 mention}{2 mentions}{1 mention}
- Pressure-Mounted Safety Gates{4 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Specialty Gates{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Useful Links
- Our Sources
Baby Safety Gates links
If you're searching for a gate for a high-traffic area, gates that swing open in either direction are the most useful, according to reviews. Pressure-mounted gates tend to have smaller walk-through openings, however, and they aren't recommended for use at the top of the stairs. Hardware-mounted gates provide added security, but require drilling into the wall and using screws, which leave holes when the gate is removed. If you have a large living area and want to provide a safe play area for your child, play yards provide a free-standing, enclosed space and can also be used for heading off access to higher risk areas like fireplaces or Christmas trees. See our report on play yards for more.
Many child safety products are subject to periodic recalls when it's discovered that the product has malfunctioning parts or a design feature that poses a safety risk to children. Baby safety gates are no exception, although there have only been a few recalls over the past 10 years. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is the best place to check for safety recalls and instructions for returning the item or getting replacement parts.
ConsumerReports.org provides a brief video outlining the different types of safety gates available and appropriate places for using each type in the home.
About.com's guide to baby products offers useful buying tips to consider in the article "Before You Buy a Baby Safety Gate." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
An article by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, reprinted at About.com, addresses issues with baby gate safety.
BabyCenter.com addresses different styles of baby gates and provides advice for what not to buy in the article "Safety Gates."
The Good Housekeeping article "How to Childproof Your Home" includes information about baby gates, in addition to ratings for a variety of other child safety products.
U.K.-based Safe Tots offers advice for choosing the best stair gate, including tips for installing safety gates and deciding whether a pressure- or hardware-mounted gate is best for your needs.
Manufacturers' websites:
