A Baby Gate Tutorial

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Some babies start walking as early as 9 months of age. Will you be ready? Will your home be ready?

Baby proofing the home in preparation for a mobile toddler is a marker in a child’s life. And that marker will come along before you know! Here are some things to consider as you get your home—and yourself—ready.

If your baby has a habit of climbing out of the crib, there are probably times you feel there is no safe place on this earth for a little one! Baby gates are designed with safety in mind to block off areas in your home that could be hazardous to toddlers.

Although useful, baby gates can never take the place of adult supervision.

If you want to keep baby away from a stairway, kitchen or doorway leading to rooms that are off-limits, this information will be useful to you.

PRESSURE GATES
A temporary pressure gate can be affixed between doorways or walls by using pressure originating from a slotted lever. Pressure gates are the least expensive and simplest solution for baby safety. Usually made of plastic or a combination of plastic and wood, they are lightweight and can break-free easily with a small push. This product is useful but somewhat unstable and can be potentially hazardous. As your baby grows and becomes stronger, the gate will be easier to push and could be dangerous if it falls on or knocks over your little one. Pressures gates are also easily knocked over by smaller dogs.

FIXED GATES
Fixed gates are commonly made out of metal and provide more secure containment. They are more costly and require permanent installation at the desired location. Fixed gates are generally considered the safest gates, and many types can be opened with only one hand. Babies and toddlers usually can’t open the gates, however, because the latch-release involves an upward motion followed by a pull or a push, which requires both coordination and strength.

Whether it’s a pressure gate or a fixed gate—or a few of each—these can help you train your child regarding the boundaries of your home. Baby gates will probably make your life a little easier, but remember to never leave your baby unattended, even behind gates in the “safety zone.”