Pressure-fit and retractable stair gates are not a good option for the top of stairs because their design incurs a trip hazard and they are not as sturdy. If you're planning on getting a dog (but a baby could also be on the horizon), you're best off choosing a baby stair gate that holds up in our tests so you can be assured that it will be suitable for protecting both children and animals. Baby gates with a door: Do you share your home with pets? If so you risk sabotaging your cats roaming space, so look for gates with pet flaps. A baby stair gate does what it says on the tin. Typically made from wood, metal, or plastic, they provide protective barriers to prevent babies, toddlers, older children and family pets from accessing certain parts of the home.

However, the very best stair gates won't just be secure and safe. They'll have simple instructions for a straightforward installation, and will be easy to open and close. Innovatively designed, this gate can easily be operated with only one hand. The gate can open in either direction and includes an optional 1-way swing setting. Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly. Safety and stability: Did the gate shift once installed? Were there any sharp corners or edges? Were there any small gaps that might trap a child’s fingers? Is the gate well made?Fred`s TipDon’t be tempted to climb over the gate. Children may try and copy you, and could reduce the gate`s effectiveness in protecting your child. There were no safety issues with this screw-fit Baby Dan stair gate, which is available in beechwood as well as metal. 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. Cleanliness: Does the gate show grubby fingerprints? Is it easy to clean? Is there a bar that gets in the way when vacuuming? 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.

Ideally, you want your stair gate to be at least 75cm (30 inches) in height. Extra-tall models are available, and range in sizes from 1m (39 inches) and beyond. Where to buy a stair gate Is your home safe for little explorers? Selina Russel, in-house safety expert at Fred Safety, offers the following home baby proofing safety tips: If you have narrow spindles that you wish to fit this stairgate tosimply use our Y Spindle accessory.Tall safety gates: If your tiny tots are blessed with long legs or an adventurous spirit, it is worth shopping for extra tall gates to keep little escape artists safe. An opening mechanism that can be operated with one hand, so that you can safely use the gate while carrying a baby or toddler Pressure-fit stair gates are ideal for use in rented accommodation as installation requires absolutely no drilling. This type of stair gate comprises a U-shaped metal frame, which squeezes against your wall or bannister, holding the gate in place through pressure alone. It often requires a small cup to be applied to your wall with an adhesive, which the bolts of the gate then sit in.

The aim of this alliance is to raise the level of child safety in the home through education and improved home safety products. Fred therefore follows a continuous improvement program with all of its products to ensure that parents can relax knowing that Fred products are the safest available. You don't need to break the bank to get a reliable product either - one of our top models was among the cheapest we tested. Extending stair gates: These can be adjusted to fit a range of doorway widths without the need for any additional extension piecesWhich type of stair gate you choose will depend on your home and your needs. Generally, screw-fit gates are more reliable, so if you’re planning to have a stair gate in place for a relatively long time, and you’re able to drill into your walls or bannister, then a screw-fit gate will be the best choice. You’ll be left with a few small holes to fill when you eventually remove the gate, but nothing that a bit of filler can’t fix. Meets safety standards - Complies or exceeds requirements of EN1930, the safety standard for safety barriers including stair gates as well all the relevant clauses of the toy standard EN71Series.