Munchkin Lindam Stair Gate, Sure Shut Axis Toddler & Baby Gate, Stair Gate Pressure Fit Baby or Dog Gate, Baby Safety Gate for Stairs & Doorways, Easy Install No-Screws Child Gate, 76-82cm, White

Product Information

Extending stair gates: These can be adjusted to fit a range of doorway widths without the need for any additional extension pieces

Once we’d selected the 14 best stair gates for our shortlist, our tester, Katja Lakha, installed them one at a time in her home. Katja is a busy mum with three children (girls aged one and four, and a seven-year-old boy), so each gate was put through its paces. The gates were tested for at least one to two weeks each in busy areas of Katja’s home. Firstly, pressure-fit gates can shift and move around over time. If a child were to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved or gave way, they could potentially fall down the stairs. All stair gates fit one of two main categories: pressure-fit or screw-fit. Screw-fit (wall-mounted) stair gates Keep scrolling to see the top five stair gates we recommend. If you're keen to learn more before investing in a stair gate, we also weigh up the pros and cons of different types, and answer common queries such as where and when to buy a stair gate, how tall it should be, and how to dispose of an old one.It’s also a good idea to watch out for the uncovered bottom corner of the gate, as the turning circle is slightly wider than average and it’s easy to catch a bare foot.

Pressure-fit stair gates don’t require any drilling – or require fewer holes – because they rely on a vice-like handle that turns and elongates the rubber-mounted fittings on either side to create pressure between them and the door frame or staircase. What else do I need to know when buying a stair gate? Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly. We've split our recommendations into the different types of stair gate you can buy, so you can find one that's best suited for your house and needs. Our tester really rated this stair gate and scored it the highest out of all the others. The gate was tested in her busy family home and placed a 'high traffic' area of the house for six weeks, where it was opened or closed at least 40 times a day. During the testing period, she found it be really secure and stable in that environment. Although the BabyDan Guard Me is safe for use anywhere in your home, the best stair gate for use at the top of the stairs is the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, which is also the best screw-fit stair gate we tested.The gate’s latch or clip needs to be secure enough to stop a child from opening it. Most connections can be opened one-handed, for when you’re carrying your child, but the safest are those with mechanisms requiring two actions, such as squeezing and lifting. Within these two categories, there are a few other features that can form part of the identity of a stair gate. For example: Pressure-mounted or pressure-fit gates require no drilling and rely on pressure to stay in place. When you buy a pressure mounted gate from Munchkin, all the tools and fixings you need are included with your gate. The gates must be fitted between two flat, structurally-sound surfaces. Full visual instructions for installation are provided in the instruction manual included with your gate.

You can stop using a stair gate when you’re confident that your child can go up and down the stairs safely on their own (which includes the middle of the night). This will depend on the individual child, but this usually happens at around two or three years of age. If your child doesn’t pull or push on the gate, which could cause it to shift or break, and doesn’t attempt to climb over it, you can keep it in place until you feel comfortable removing it. What are the different types of stair gate? Lots of people use safety gates as dog gates for stairs and to keep pets in or out of certain rooms. Stair gates can be used at the top of the stairs (to prevent your baby from falling down) and at the bottom (to stop them from climbing up). They can also be used to close off unsafe rooms and to temporarily add additional barriers to your home, whether that’s across a doorway or another narrow opening. When deciding which stair gate is best for you, it helps to work out what’s important to you before you buy. For example:Day-to-day use: Does the gate do the job it’s supposed to? Does it withstand a toddler’s weight? Is it easy to open and close with one hand? The BabyDan Guard Me is the best stair gate to buy overall, but the retractable screen does have a bit of give to it, and it needs to be installed at least 9cm from the top of the staircase. Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way. However, they are generally not safe for use at the top of a staircase. This is for two main reasons. These tend to be more stylish and less obtrusive than standard stair gates, which also makes them more expensive, but they particularly suit areas with restricted space. What’s the difference between screw-fit and pressure-fit stair gates?