The infant who uses his feet only as chew toys today will turn into a toddling, curious baby seemingly overnight. Buying and installing safety gates isn't a task to put off until he's on the move. Nearly 8,000 children visit U.S. emergency rooms each day because of fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The right gates may keep your baby from being one of them.
RELATED: How to Buy Safety Gates
Before You Shop
What to Avoid
Accordion-style gates with large diamond- or V-shaped openings may not conform to current safety standards. Avoid any such gate that lacks a straight top bar. Any gate featuring horizontal slats or other openings that could be used as toeholds are unsafe once your little one learns to climb. Run your hands over any gate you consider to feel for sharp edges, loose parts or wooden splinters. Don't choose a gate that will fit only when expanded to its maximum width.
RELATED: Baby Gates: 5 Tips for Choosing and Installing Them
Installing Gates
Installing a gate that requires hardware is fairly simple if you follow the manufacturer's instructions. A gate at the top of a staircase should be installed to open away from rather than toward the stairs. If a pressure-mounted gate has a bar on one side, place that side away from the space where your baby will roam. With any gate, allow no more than 2 inches of space between the floor and the bottom bar, advises KidsHealth.
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