Why Risk Your Little One’s Wellbeing – Fit A Child Gate Immediately!

February 18, 2010 by Amelia Bailey  
Filed under pregnancy

We are all full of joy and pride as we watch the daily progress of our “babies.” Then all of a sudden we are full of dread when they start crawling faster and faster, towards all sorts of possible dangers. The stairs, the kitchen, yes, even your furniture presents dangerous possibilities.

Where To Install A Child Gate?

Stair gates give parents and caretakers, of children, some peace of mind. Curtailing the movements of our little ones and steering them away from dangers in the home. Specifically the stairs.

The minimum protection a parent can give their toddlers is the installation of a stair gate, at both the top and bottom of a staircase. At the age of six months a child is learning independent movement and the curiosity that goes with it. A child falls, on their tiny butts, again and again before they are able to control their balance. After each fall and a quick kiss from mommy they are off again. This is a 24/7 job to keep them safe from harm.

There are many areas of your home that lend to possible dangers for the toddler. The most dangerous of these is the kitchen. Until your child reaches the age of understanding, it would be safer for him/her to be kept out of the kitchen with the use of a stair gate.

Other dangers also exist. Furniture in a living room or a dining room may have pointed edged furniture. A fall against such furniture could cause a serious injury to a child. Exposed electrical wires and cables in a home office offers a serious danger to a toddler.

Start developing a plan. Go through your home and find potentially dangerous areas. Each home is different so the areas will vary. One home may have a door to the basement stairs and another home may not have a basement to worry about. Some have two stories and stairs to the second floor. Others are one floor homes. Meanwhile teach your toddler some safety rules and to understand the word “no.” They will eventually understand what you are teaching them and be able to know danger when they see it.

Now You Need To Decide On What Stair Gate Is Best:

Once you’ve completed your inspection of your home and know all the potentially dangerous areas, it is time to install the gates needed.

Stair gates will accommodate any situation you are faced with. Irregular, narrow or wide gaps are the type of areas covered by today’s stair gates. Straight lines have auto closing, multi panel configurations can be installed around an open staircase or even a section of corner of a room.

Once-upon-a-time installing a stair gate made your home a prison. For everyone not just your toddler, but no more. Manufacturer have become aware of the realities, of what it means to confine family members along with toddlers. The safety of the toddler is of prime concern and always will be. However, parents can now choose different styles of stair gates that compliments the interior of their home. Colors, like silver, black, white, and wood finishes like oak, gun tree, mahogany and beechwood are readily available.

What Kind Of Fit – Pressure Or Screw?

The most popular of the stair gates is the pressure fitted variety. There is no need to show your DIY skills. No need to drill holes in walls or banister posts. Many of these gates have an auto-closure features, eliminating the worry of a gate being left opened due to carelessness. Some stair gates of this kind feature a light indicator. This light indicator warns when a gate has been nudged out of alignment and needs to be adjusted.

Pressure fitted gates have a trip bar. This bar is at the bottom, on the floor, and runs the length of the gate when the stair gate is mounted. In most cases, this trip bar, presents no problem. But, if the gate is at the top of the stairs, it could prove to be dangerous. Especially when carrying a laundry basket or a baby. A safety hazard to be avoided if at all possible. Additional step plates can be purchased to allow you to convert the trip bar into a slight ramp. This is a definite recommendation if you do intend to install a fitted pressure gate.

The screw fitted gates main advantage is that there is no trip bar necessary. This type of gate sits on screw fittings and is similar to a barn door when it opens and closes and doesn’t need a horizontal bar to stay in place. Both styles are sold by reputable stores in the UK and have been rigorously tested for durance and safety.

If a screw fitted gate has been knocked against, or had been leaned on, it will not need readjusting, giving parents that extra advantage of stability and safety that is needed. Once this gate has been installed it should not move or ever need readjusting.

Many also come with quick release fittings, giving the parents, grandparents or caregivers the option of removing the gate when not in use and putting it back up when children or grandchildren are once again with them. Simply slotting the gate back into its fittings.

When Should A Safety Gate Be Installed?

When! As soon as your little one becomes active. To be on the safe side it should be installed before you need it, so that you’re prepared for when the mischief begins. Trust me, you’ll be ready, prepared and glad of having the stair gate in place.

This should occur around sixth months, however, this timing is also dependent upon the child’s growing abilities. It is during this time that your child will be showing better walking skills and becoming more aware of the dangers, recognize them and avoid them. Now, perhaps, you can consider removing the gate.

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