Baby gates are helpful to keep the infant and toddlers in the safe place of home when unattended.
Here's a list of things to check out when purchasing baby gates.
Baby gates come in two kinds: pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted.
The first kind stays in place by a locking device that does not require drilling into the door frame or other parts of the house. From its name, it is kept in place by having the bars exert some pressure against the door frames or walls where it is to be mounted. On the other hand, the hardware-mounted type, from its name alone suggests drilling into the part of the house where it is to be mounted. It is kept in place by screws.
Do I plan on moving the baby gate around? If the answer to that is yes, it is not advisable to get a hardware-mounted baby gate as this would mean multiple holes all over your house.
IF you do plan on moving the baby gate around, then a pressure-mounted baby gate is the more sensible choice.
Placement
For the top of the stairs, it's wiser to place hardware-mounted baby gates than to place the pressure-mounted type. So, for more dangerous areas, hardware-mounted gates are more suited, while pressure-mounted gates are for the less dangerous areas.
In planning where to place the baby gate, you must also consider how the baby gate allows access through. There are gates that slide open and those that swing open. You wouldn't want a gate that swings both ways at the top of the stairs. There are also designs where the gate is opened by a foot pedal. This is most convenient when you have to carry things as you walk around the house, through the gate.
This question should also invoke the thought of how you will be able to pass through the baby gate.
It really would depend on where you mount the baby gate. For instance, a sliding gate or a swing gate that locks on the top bar would mean that you would have to use your hands to unlock the gate.
But imagine you are doing your laundry and you have to pass by the baby gate. There are also those that open through a foot pedal. What material do I want? Baby gates come in different materials. Some may be made of wood, others metal, and still others, plastic. The material you choose also has a correlation with the safety level you wish to achieve. Like for the top of the stairs, a baby gate made of wood might be more durable than one made of plastic.
What design should I get?
Definitely, the height of the gate should not be lower than your child's chest level. This is approximately three-fourths of his height. This will prevent your child from climbing over.
Another consideration when it comes to design is whether the baby gate has any horizontal bars where your child can place his/her foot or toe and make it easier for him/her to climb over.
Where do I go to buy baby gates? Baby gates can be purchased over the Internet. But tempted as you may be to buy online, after all, all it takes is one click of the mouse; let your feet do the walking this time. This is one item that you have to see for yourself. You have to test it. But whether you buy with or without testing the product, you must remember that they are more for your convenience. Constant supervision is still the key to your baby's safety.
If you are looking to read more information about baby gates visit here.
Disclosures
Francis Yeung is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.ca. I only recommend products I trust!
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