Safety stairs for baby: Baby Gates & Safety Gates : Target

Best baby gates for stairs

• Community
• Getting Pregnant
• Pregnancy
• Baby Names
• Baby
• Toddler
• Child
• Health
• Family
• Courses
• Registry Builder
• Baby Products

Advertisement

BabyCenter selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. All prices and details are accurate at the time of publication. We may earn a commission from shopping links.

Photo credit: Babycenter

Once your baby is on the move, look out! Literally. They can and will go anywhere that catches their interest, heedless of their own safety. Baby safety gates are a crucial childproofing tool, blocking off access to entire rooms or areas of your house to keep your wandering little one safe. One type, baby gates for stairs, are specially designed to provide protection from one of your home’s critical danger spots, where accidents can and do happen.  

Infants can crawl up stairs soon after they crawl on flat ground, which usually happens by nine to 10 months, says developmental-behavioral pediatrician Susan Fielkow, M.D.Opens a new window from Children’s Hospital New Orleans, and may try to walk up and down stairs soon after they can walk. Climbing or crawling up and down stairs is great for gross motor development and coordination, says Dr. Fielkow, but parents must supervise at all times: «Falls downstairs happen often and can be very serious, and even life-threatening,» says Dr. Fielkow. 

Dr. Fielkow advises parents to install safety gates as soon as children show signs of crawling. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, recommending safety gates at the top and the bottom of stairs Opens a new windowwhen your child is learning to crawl and walk. Zeb Timmons, M.D.,Opens a new window Division Chief of Emergency Medicine at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, says gates should be installed when their baby is around 6 to 7 months old instead of waiting for a developmental cue.  

Whenever you install them, make sure to use only hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs, says the AAP and advocacy groups such as Consumer Reports.Opens a new window Pressure-mounted gates are not secure enough anywhere there’s a danger of your child falling, such as at the top of stairs.

How we chose the best baby safety gates for stairs

• We sought out safety information and recommendations related to baby gates from Consumer Reports, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), and the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children’s HospitalOpens a new window in Columbus, Ohio. All the safety gates on this list are certified by the JPMA and have met international voluntary safety standards related to safety and performance. 
• We spoke with parents on BabyCenter’s editorial team to find out what baby gates they used in their own homes in spaces including stairs. 
• We monitored conversations on baby safety gates on BabyCenter’s Community, seeking a consensus of opinions on the most reliable and easiest to use gates from a diverse group of millions of caregivers. Every safety gate on this list received overwhelmingly positive feedback for: 
  • Price ($100 or below, with one exception)
  • Ease of use and installation
  • Versatility 
     

Best baby safety gate for stairs overall

Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Gate

Photo credit: Cardinal Gates

Cardinal Gates’ device is special, all right, with everything parents need for a safe and easy-to-operate stairway gate, and practically no downsides. Parents love that everything on this gate is made of metal, even the latch; there’s nothing that feels rickety, or that can suddenly break off in use. They also appreciate that there’s no bar across the part of the gate that you step through, which makes it less likely you’ll trip when going back and forth. 

Installation is much easier for the Stairway Special than for similar gates: there are only four screws to put in your walls, and the gate comes with long screws that are suitable for penetrating drywall and reaching the studs underneath. It also comes with a bracket that you can install to allow the gate to swing only one way. This is an important quality for top-of-stairs gates, which should swing away from, not towards, the top of stairs, as it makes falls less likely.

There is also a bracket on one side of the gate that rotates up to 30 degrees, allowing you to install the gate on an angle to accommodate for oddly shaped spaces. 

The Stairway Special’s latch is easy to operate one-handed, too: press down on the release button with your thumb, then use the rest of your hand to lift the body of the gate up and out from the latch to swing open. 

Heads up
This gate must be lifted up and closed to latch; it doesn’t swing shut automatically. 

Parents say
«I can open mine with one hand, but I doubt a kid could until they are much older — my dad can’t seem to figure them out.»

«We have 4 of these, including one on the deck stairs and they are amazing.»

«We have 2 of these. One on banisters, and one on a wall/banister. No complaints!»

Specs

• Width: 27-42 1/2 inches (42 ¼-53 inches or 48 3/4 -64 inches with extensions)
• Height: 29 ½ inches
• Mount style: Hardware
• Color options: 3
   

Best baby safety gate for bottom of stairs

Toddleroo by North States Deluxe Décor Gate

Photo credit: Amazon

Versatility and ease of use is what makes this good-looking metal gate better than competitors. Toddleroo’s gate works with a number of different-sized and -shaped spaces, from about 38 to 72 inches wide. Or, if you purchase the extensions, you can stretch your gate to 162 inches. If you have a space with uneven or angled walls, simply tilt each of the movable side panels individually for a precise fit. And if you’re installing on a wall with a baseboard, you can adjust mounting mechanisms on each side of the gate to make space for the extra width. 

Installation is easier thanks to provided paper guides: Find and mark the location of wall studs, then tape the guides over them to precisely mark where the screws go, no measuring necessary.  

But what parents love most about this gate is how it opens and closes. You open the gate by pressing the a button and lifting the gate’s handle, an operation that’s very easy to perform one-handed. If you let the gate go, it swings shut and latches automatically. You can also push it open more than 90 degrees and it stays open by itself, an extraordinarily useful feature when you need to go through the gate repeatedly. 

Heads up
This gate has a bar that crosses the bottom of the gate panel; this tripping hazard makes these gates unsuitable for the top of stairs. 

Parents say
«This worked really well for us for a weird shaped stair situation.» 

«Perfect safety solution for extra wide spaces with added one hand functionality…. This was the most decent one I could find that allowed the side pieces to bend.»

«We have some wide stairs and some normal stairs… I prefer [this safety gate] because it has a wider door, and these days I’m getting wider all the time. «

Specs

• Width: 38.3-72 inches (up to 162 inches with extension)
• Height: 30 inches
• Mount style: Hardware
• Color options: 2
   

Best inexpensive baby gate for stairs

Evenflo Walk-Thru Top of Stairs Baby Gate

Photo credit: Amazon

With many safety gates costing $100 or more, babyproofing your house can really add up, especially if you have multiple areas you need to cordon off. So if you don’t have an unusual space to contend with (i.e. non-parallel walls, wide or narrow stairs), why pay for a feature you don’t need? 

Evenflow’s gate is simple in design, and straightforward to install thanks to paper guides that tell you exactly where to drill holes. Parents like that the mounting hardware is slender, so it easily fits in even narrow places like door frames. Once installed, parents say that this gate’s latch system is easy to work one-handed, and appreciate that there’s no bar across the threshold, which eliminates a tripping hazard.  

Heads up
This gate cannot be installed on an angle, or if you have baseboards or molding that makes walls uneven from the top to the bottom of gate. 

Parents say
«The Evenflo walk thru top of stairs baby gate is great. It secures really well to the wall and you have to be able to push down and slide backwards at the same time to open it.»

Specs

• Width: 30-48 inches
• Height: 32 inches
• Mount style: Hardware
• Color options: 2
   

Best baby safety gate for stairs with banisters

Regalo Top of Stairs Baby Gate

Photo credit: Amazon

Regalo’s gate is suitable for stairs and installs safely on walls with molding or baseboards (on one or both sides), as well as on stair landings with banisters on one or both sides. If your banisters are nice to look at, you’ll love this even more: You install this gate onto banisters by attaching adapter straps that wrap around them then are screwed shut to tighten. No need to put holes in your pretty hardwood. 

Alexandra Bisonó, Senior Art Director for BabyCenter’s parent company Everyday Health Group, says that this gate solved her unusual installation issues: She has a newel post on the last stair instead of on the floor. Alexandra liked that this gate doesn’t have a threshold bar which she says ends up being a tripping hazard at times with guests who don’t expect there to be a bar on the floor. She also appreciated that it’s easy to take this gate off its mounting hardware for storage when guests need full access to the stairs. 

Parents like that these gates have a built-in bubble level that makes it easier to install them straight. They also appreciate the small round foot attached to the middle of the bottom of the gate that touches the floor to give the gate extra stability (when you lift the gate to open it, it also lifts the foot so it won’t scratch your floors). 

Heads up
This gate comes with four adapters for square banisters but only one for round banisters. If you need more round adapters, you’ll have to contact Regalo to purchase more. 

Parents say
«We have this one at the top and bottom of stairs plus a kit that helped us attach it to the banister. It’s nice because there’s no bottom bar.»

«Regalo wasn’t super expensive…. Easy to use and install.»

Specs

• Width: 29-43 inches
• Height: 30 ½ inches 
• Mount style: Hardware
• Color options: 1

Best retractable baby gate for stairs

Smart Retract Retract-A-Gate

Photo credit: Smart Retract

Retractable baby gates close off spaces with mesh fabric instead of a swinging gate. They’re convenient for high-traffic areas, because the fencing rolls up neatly inside the gate’s hardware when not in use. But most retractable baby gates for sale online are made by non-U.S. companies who may or may not adhere to domestic safety standards. We feel safer recommending (and using) this JPMA-certified sturdy model that comes in two versions: one that fits openings up to 52 inches, the other up to 72 inches.  

The Smart Gate offers a lot of installation options: You can mount it at an angle if your walls are not parallel. You can attach the gate to a stair post, a banister, metal/wrought iron spindles, and walls with molding or baseboard too (though you may need Retract-A-Gate’s wall spacer set or banister kit to do so). This gate is certified for use at the top or bottom of stairs, and in doorways, too. Parents who use it say they love being able to fully retract the gate when they need to go in and out of a space repeatedly, rather than trying to go in and out of a small door. They also appreciate how easy it is to open and close the gate, one-handed and quietly: There’s no clanking metal to potentially wake a sleeping baby. 

Heads up
The price is expensive compared to most baby gates.  

Parents say
«Best purchase we have made in a long time! I can easily hook or unhook this gate for our dogs, one-handed, while carrying our son/laundry/etc. «

«Retract-A-Gate — a little pricey but safest one they have if you have stairs.»

«We have 2 retract-a-gates to section off our house. We initially got them to keep our dogs in the main part of the house but they work great with the baby too.»

Specs

• Width: Up to 52 or 72 inches (no minimum width listed)
• Height: 34 inches 
• Mount style: Hardware
• Color options: 3
   

What to know about baby safety gates for stairs

As we have seen, baby gates or safety gates fit across spaces like doorways and the top or bottom of stairs to section off safe portions of your house. Although there are two main types of baby gates: pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted,  only the latter can be used on stairs. As mentioned earlier, pressure-mounted gates are not secure enough for places, such as at the top of stairs.

That last note is an important one: A widely cited 10-year study published in Pediatrics in 2012 concluded more than 93,000 children under age 5 are treated at emergency departments every year for stair-related injuries. The widespread use of baby gates has reduced the number of stair-related injuries, says Dr. Timmons, but they’re still common. 

It’s equally important to choose baby gates that have been certified by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA), because baby gates themselves can injure children. And though the Consumer Product Safety Commission has published safety standards for gates and enclosures, it’s not easy to know which gates have passed them. Gates certified by the JPMA will have a sticker on its frame or packaging to let you know that it complies with the JPMA’s voluntary safety standards.

In addition to looking for the JPMA sticker, Consumer Reports has the following safety gate buying guidelines:

• Rigid vertical slats should be spaced less than three inches apart.
• Surface of wooden gates should be smooth and splinter-free.
• Mesh parts of gates should be tightly woven together so that fingers and body parts cannot go through.
• Gate height should be at least three-quarters of your child’s height.
• Latch should be easy for you, but not your child, to open.

As for proper use of gates, always make sure your gate is installed according to the directions and ensure mounting brackets and screws are installed correctly, as well. If your gate swings, make sure you install it to swing away from stairs or any other dangerous space. 

Safety gates are not intended for children over age 2, and you should discontinue use of safety gates when your child is taller than 36 inches or weighs more than 30 pounds. 

And finally, remember that the use of a baby gate does not replace proper supervision of your baby. Gates can be a handy helper, but there’s nothing like an attentive parent to keep babies out of trouble. 

Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt contributed to this story
 

Was this article helpful?

Yes

No

Joyce Slaton

Joyce Slaton is the commerce editor at BabyCenter, the world’s number one digital parenting resource. She is a certified child passenger safety technician who loves to write, sew, and cook. Slaton lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. 

Advertisement | page continues below

Advertisement

Best Baby Gates for Stairs and Doorways

When you have a baby, safety is top priority. So when it’s time to childproof your house, finding the best baby gate is a must. Baby gates are designed to section off spaces and rooms to prevent babies and toddlers from getting into danger zones, like staircases and kitchens. Statistics show that more than three million children experience an unintentional household injury every year, ranging from steam and hot-liquid burns to falls and poisonings. Suffice it to say, a baby gate is a consequential purchase.

Parents usually start installing gates when baby reaches the six-month mark, since baby will be moving and exploring soon. (FYI, if baby is on the go sooner, you’ll want to start looking for the best baby gates even earlier. ) Remember, children develop at different rates, so use your discretion when deciding what works best for your home.

Ready to shop the options? Here’s what to know when browsing for the best baby gate for your family’s needs.

In this article:
Best baby gate for stairs
Best baby gate for stairs with banisters
Best baby gate for a doorway
Best fireplace baby gate
Best baby gate with a door
Best extra-wide baby gate
Best retractable baby gate
Best pressure-mounted baby gate
Best modern baby gate
Best mesh baby gate
Best wooden baby gate
Best clear baby gate
Best budget-friendly baby gate

What to consider when shopping for a baby gate

Baby gates are anything but child’s play. In fact, as you shop for the best baby gates, you’ll discover that there are several different variations—all with their own set of pros and cons. This can be enough to make any parent’s head spin. Before you make a purchase, here’s a breakdown of what to consider.

• Safety. Babyproofing becomes pointless if the baby gate you’re using isn’t a safe product. Keep an eye out for Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification when shopping for baby gates, which ensures that the gate meets the top safety standards (like a minimum height of 22” and the ability to withstand 30 pounds of push-out force). Also keep an eye out for any recalls.
• Height. Speaking of height, those with taller toddlers will want to look out for extra-tall baby gates, which can have heights of up to 36” for extra security.
• Material. Baby gates come in a variety of materials, from metal to mesh to wood. Each has its own benefits, depending on your needs. Metal is easiest to clean, while mesh allows for a clear view of your little one on the other side. Wood is both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.
• Location. Think about where you’ll be placing the baby gate in your home, as that will also affect the type of product you select. Baby gates being used at the bottom or top of stairs must be hard-mounted for safety, while those closing off hallways or doorways can be pressure-mounted. If it’s a high-traffic area, look for a gate with a doorway pass-through; places you want to remain blocked off (like a fireplace) can have a more closed-off format.
• Portability. If you need a gate to travel with or take on the go to a friend or relative’s house, look for a pressure-mounted baby gate that folds or collapses to make for easier transport.
• Aesthetics. Baby gates don’t need to be an eyesore in your home. There are several chic and stylish options, ranging from barn door styles to ultra modern designs.

Types of Baby Gates

As previously mentioned, it’s important to consider where you’ll be using the baby gate before deciding on the mounting and pass-through style. If you’re looking for stair gates or have an uneven surface, a wall-mounted option is your best (and safest) bet. If you’re using the gate on a flat surface like a doorway, and want something easy to remove, a pressure-mounted baby gate will work well. Here’s a closer look at the differences.

• Hardware-mounted baby gates. Hardware-mounted baby gates are securely attached into the framing of the walls of your home. There’s a bracket that’s installed into either a doorframe or the frame behind the walls to secure the gate in place so it won’t fall over. Avoid screwing the baby-gate mount into the drywall or plaster alone, because that won’t guarantee stability. Statistics show every six minutes, a child in the US is treated for a stairs-related injury, so it makes sense to find the most secure options available. Hardware-mounted styles are recommended as the best baby gates for stairs, because when installed properly the risk of them toppling over is much lower than with pressure-mounted ones.
• Pressure-mounted baby gate. Pressure-mounted baby gates use an expandable spring system to lock the gate into place by squeezing it between two walls or other surfaces, creating pressure to hold it in place. There are usually rubber pieces on both sides that help secure the gate in place and protect your walls. When you’re looking for the best baby gates, even a top-notch pressure-mounted model isn’t recommended for staircases of any type because the gate could topple over if not secured properly. Rather, pressure-mounted baby gates are best suited for areas that are level and flat, like doorways.
• Step-over versus walk-through. Walk-through gates, or baby gates that have a doorway or open-and-close mechanism, are preferred to gates that require you to step over them—since it removes any trip or fall hazard. Step-over gates can be a great option when traveling or needing a temporary solution; but, in most other situations, walk-through gates are better and safer.

Best Baby Gates

Ready to give your home a safety makeover? Now that you have the lowdown on babyproofing with baby gates, check out our picks of the best baby gates for stairs, fireplaces, doors and more.

Best Baby Gate for Stairs

Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Gate

Little ones just love to explore the stairs, making it important for them to be safely barricaded off. There are certain features that help make baby gates work best for stairways, and this option from Cardinal Gates has them all. It hard-mounts at the top or bottom of stairs and can be angled up to 30 degrees, helping ensure you hit a stud and get that extra security. An optional stop bracket prevents the gate from swinging open over a stairway, and the latch system is easily operated with one hand by adults. There’s also no trip bar, and it’s made from a lightweight but strong aluminum.

• Height: 29.5”
• Width: 27” to 42.5”

Best Baby Gate for Stairs With Banisters

Summer Metal Banister & Stair Safety Gate

Banisters present multiple challenges, when it comes to baby gate installation; this safety gate from Summer Infant addresses practically all of them. It accommodates banister-to-banister, banister-to-wall or wall-to-wall installation—without drilling into your banisters and leaving holes behind. The no-trip bar (preventing any tumbles down the stairs) and a door stopper prevents the door from swinging open over the staircase. The extra-wide door also opens the full-width of the stairs for easy pass-through.

• Height: 32.5”
• Width: 31” to 46”

Best Baby Gate for a Doorway

Toddleroo by North States Bright Choice Auto-Close Gate

High-traffic doorways require an easily operated but still secure baby gate—and we’re big fans of this option from Toddleroo. The 22” door swings in both directions and provides plenty of room to walk through. The auto-close feature makes sure the gate shuts behind you, no hands required. But when you need the doorway path to stay open, there’s a hold-open feature that kicks in when you open the door past 90 degrees. The glow-in-the-dark handle also makes this gate easy to spot in the dark, helping prevent any late-night tumbles.

• Height: 30”
• Width: 29.75” to 40.5”

Best Fireplace Baby Gate

Qdos Construct-a-SafeGate

A fireplace transforms from cozy to hazardous once you have children—making a fireplace baby gate an absolute necessity. Our favorite is the Qdos Construct-a-Safegate, which hard-mounts to the surrounding walls and features anti-skid floor pads to prevent any movement. It’s not only ideal for blocking off fireplaces, this baby gate also comes with two wide sections, a door and multiple panels to create a safe space anywhere you might need.

• Height: 29.5”
• Width: 35.4” to 82.7”

Best Baby Gate With a Door

Evenflo Barn Door Walk-Thru Gate

There’s little not to love about this baby gate with a door. The Evenflo Barn Door Walk-Thru Gate is a favorite for many reasons. The barn door swings in both directions and self-closes (perfect for when your hands are full). A red and green indicator lets you know if the gate has been locked properly, a stair stopper prevents it from swinging out over steps and it can be pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted for use almost anywhere in your home. The chic barn door style is an added bonus.

• Height: 30”
• Width: 29” to 43”

Best Extra-Wide Baby Gate

Regalo Super Wide Baby Gate and Playard

Open concept homes become quite tricky when you have a baby on the move. Enter the Regalo Super Wide Baby Gate and Playard, which is perfect for every wide open space in your home. It comes with eight 24” panels, and can close off an opening as wide as 16 feet. This extra-wide baby gate is also versatile, and can be configured as a standalone playard or fireplace gate as well. The sturdy, all-metal frame will keep little ones in—and adults can easily get out thanks to the one-touch safety lock release lever.

• Height: 28”
• Width: Up to 192”

Best Retractable Baby Gate

Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate

Hundreds of parents rave about this retractable, mesh baby gate from Retract-A-Gate. It tucks away when you don’t need it, and lets you see your little one on the other side when it’s up. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the neutral colors blend seamlessly into any home decor. The mesh can withstand up to 200 pounds of push-pressure—making it just as strong as its metal and wooden counterparts. It’s also one of the few retractable baby gates that can truly be operated with one hand (perfect for when you’re carrying a baby or toddler in the other).

• Height: 34”
• Width: 52”

Best Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch Extra Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate

Although a pressure-mounted baby gate is a no-go for stairs, it’s a great choice if you want to keep babies out of a room like an office or a kitchen without damaging your walls with drill holes. This one from Regalo allows each spindle rod mount to be adjusted independently (perfect for uneven walls or surfaces), and has a one-touch release safety lock for adults to pass through easily.

• Height: 30”
• Width: 35” to 38.5”

Best Modern Baby Gate

Munchkin Loft Baby Gate

Stylishly fashioned out of sleek aluminum, you could put up this swing gate in an industrial-chic loft and people would assume it’s part of the design. But this former Best of Baby winner boasts both form and function: A quick-release wall mount allows you to put it away when you have grown-up guests over, and put it right back up when someone suddenly shows up with their kid. You can station it across openings 26.5 to 40 inches wide virtually anywhere in the house, thanks to its integrated tuning system that abuts snugly to any wall, even when it’s not level.

• Height: 30.5”
• Width: 26.5” to 40”

Best Mesh Baby Gate

Baby Delight Span Expandable Folding Gate

Mesh is a great option for baby gates, as it allows you a better view of your little one and provides a softer surface for any potential collisions. The benefits don’t stop there with this expandable mesh baby gate from Baby Delight. It comes in three different width ranges, it can be unfolded and set up in minutes (with no hardware or tools necessary) and it comes with a carry bag for when you need to move it to a different location. It’s a great option for both babies and families on the go.

• Height: 34”
• Width: 60”

Best Wooden Baby Gate

Regalo Heritage and Home Wooden Safety Gate

Looking for an option that’s not plastic or metal? Look no further than this wooden baby gate from Regalo. The Regalo Heritage and Home Wooden Safety Gate features a sleek wooden and gray design that won’t be an eyesore. This wooden baby gate isn’t just aesthetically pleasing though: It works for stairways, hallways and doorways; offers secure hardware mounts that can be used on walls or banisters and fits openings up to 42 inches wide.

• Height: 30″
• Width: 23. 5” to 42”

Best Clear Baby Gate

Qdos Crystal Designer Baby Safety Gate, Hardware Mount

If you’re a fan of the Philippe Starck ghost chair, then this see-through, hardware-mounted baby gate may be right up your alley. Its transparency is not only stylish, it’s practical too, lending an unobstructed view of what baby is up to. High-grade acrylic holds up to the rowdiest of tots, and a special indicator lets you know at a glance that the gate is securely latched. It can be installed within openings and door frames, at the top or bottom of stairs, at an angle and around baseboard or quarter-round molding—making it as versatile as it is secure.

• Height: 30.7”
• Width: 29.5” to 39.8”

Best Budget-Friendly Baby Gate

Regalo Wooden Expandable Baby Gate

Whether you have lots of doorways to close off, or you are simply looking for a more cost-effective option to keep your little one safe and secure, the Regalo Wooden Expandable Baby Gate is a great budget-friendly option. The twist-and-lock system helps to secure the gate into place, and rubber bumpers make the pressure mounts gentle on your walls. At 24”, it’s easy to step over (no walk through option here), and the wooden design is sleek enough to match any home decor. The best part? The just-under $25 price tag.

• Height: 24”
• Width: 26” to 42”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

9 Game-Changing Babyproofing Products

How to Childproof Once Baby Is Walking

The Dos and Don’ts of Shopping for Used Baby Gear

save article

Safe stairs for children to the second floor in the house, how to secure a child on the stairs

Even the most modern staircase will become a source of danger for young children when the necessary protection elements are missing. You can restrict access by installing a wicket or small gates, or rather, together with engineers, think over the design in advance.

Child Safety Ladder Basics:
1. The distance between the elements of the fences is from 110 to 150 mm, you can additionally install a grid;
2. Stairs must be closed with risers;
3. Avoid winder steps and spiral staircases;
4. We use a children’s handrail and a protective gate (gate).

Ordering ladder from our company, you will get a professional approach to work. Our experienced designers will make your staircase project safe and convenient.

Safety staircase to the second floor

To protect children from possible injury, follow these simple guidelines:

• Correctly select the distance between the elements of the fences. According to GOST 25772-83, it is no more than 150 mm. If there are small children in the house, reduce it to a ball diameter of 110 mm. It is recommended to install screen fences that additionally perform a protective function. It is important that it can withstand a horizontal load of 30 kgf / m. This is enshrined in SNiP 2.01.07-85.
• Make the width of the flight of stairs wider than 750 mm. At this distance, 2 adults of average build will freely disperse in opposite directions.
• Choose a safe type of design. Stairs equipped with platforms, overall. They are more secure. High U-shaped structures are equipped with 2 — 3 platforms. Straight, small stairs are equipped with one. When falling down, the platform will reduce the distance to the floor.
• Re-coat steps. The varnished surface is slippery. Stick an anti-slip tape with an abrasive coating along the edges of the steps. Then the running child will not slip.
• Select the step material. The wooden surface is made rough by artificial «aging». This process is called brushing. Soft fibers are removed from the top layer of wood with brushes or machines. The surface of the boards acquires a pronounced structure of growth rings, becoming less slippery. The steps are covered with hard wax. It is recommended to renew the coating every 2-3 years.
• Use the second «baby rail». It is installed at a height of 500 — 700 mm from the side of the wall with an offset of 50 — 70 mm. The ends of the handrail are rounded. Give preference to a curved shape, without gaps and corners. The width of the handrail should be 55 — 85 mm.
• For very young children, use a special child gate.

According to statistics, children fall more often when moving down. Regardless of the type of ladder you choose, teach your child the basic safety rules.

The most traumatic structures

In pursuit of compactness and visual lightness, the functionality of the staircase is often neglected. «Soaring» models are really beautiful, but for a small child — a dangerous option. When there are children at home, experts recommend giving up:

• Winder steps. Their inner side is smaller than the outer one, there are no parallel edges. Winder steps are inconvenient even for adults.
• Spiral stairs . Some models «round» 270° or 360°. They are elegant, compact, but unsafe, and also unsuitable for transporting furniture. If it is impossible to replace screw structures, make the tread as wide as possible. This will reduce the chance of falling.

The staircase design will become comfortable for all residents of the house, if you think about functionality at the planning stage. Then you will get a really safe and comfortable staircase.

Share:

How to make stairs safe for a child

Stairs can be the most dangerous place in a home for young children. It is easy to trip and fall from it, but toddlers and older children simply do not know this. As soon as they start to crawl, they are drawn to the stairs like a magnet. It’s like a mountain they have to climb, no matter how many times you try to push them away from it, your little ones just want to crawl right up there.

One of your responsibilities as parents is to keep your children safe. In this article, Eraglass specialists, wanting to help readers solve this problem, have collected useful information that will tell you how to make your stairs harmless and trouble-free for your little ones.

Partitions, railings, glass doors, shower cabins, stairs, ERAGLASS glass canopies for offices and much more you can order by calling the ERAGLASS office.

Stairs for children

Stairs are one of the 10 most common sources of injury for children. Most of them receive head, neck and soft tissue injuries such as:

• sprains;
• contusions and hematomas;
• fractures;
• lacerations.

A child-safe apartment or house should protect curious fidgets from all sorts of accidents. Your child will grow up and will constantly discover new horizons that can be dangerous. Therefore, it is important to protect the habitat again and again according to the age of your child.

Such ladders are dangerous.

Stairs, as a source of child injury, must be protected. For small travelers in diapers, you generally need to block access to it. And for the growing naughty, leading an active lifestyle, it must be provided with all the means of safety.

Types of fences

As soon as your little treasure has reached the dexterity of a kitten, it begins to move at the speed of light. But his research often leads to traumatic areas, such as stairs. Now is the time to consider how you can protect the stairs from the child.

The main elements of stairs that help avoid child injuries are:

• barriers;
• railings and handrails;
• additional means (nets, children’s handrails, carpets).

Important! The distance between the vertical elements of the barrier structures must be such that it is impossible to climb through or get stuck (no more than 10 — 12 cm).

Barriers and Safety Gates

The most obvious and reliable way to keep your child away from stairs is to install a child safety gate. They are generally designed for children between six months and two years of age when they can climb or open them on their own.

There are many options for barriers, but whichever you choose, make sure they completely block access to the stairs. Since it is impossible to monitor a crawling child around the clock, it is recommended to install gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.

The gate at the top of your stairs is very important. Use ones that can be screwed to a wall or railing. They should be as high as possible for your child so that he does not climb over them. Retractable baby doors are not suitable for the top of stairs because they can loosen over time.

The lower part of the stairs (if it does not have a wide open area at the base) will be blocked by a children’s gate, which can ideally fit into the entrance to the flight of stairs. If your staircase is unusual or has a wide passage, then you need doors with a fence.

Barrier options.

While safety always comes first, you should still try to find fences that best fit your idea of ​​what your home should look like. The choice between wood, glass, metal, textile or plastic, as well as color, allows you to find the perfect option.

Handrails and handrails

Not everyone knows the difference between handrails and handrails. In this picture, the handrails are on the left, and the railing with handrails and posts is on the right. They should also be given special attention. Even if your child is too big to slip over the bars, their head or limbs may get stuck between them.

Stair railings in various materials.

Your kids will love these ladders.

Try blocking the railing. It can be a mesh or a plastic screen.

You can also install a bottom rail if your children are too small to reach the rails.

Attention! Steps can be slippery for children, and carpeting or anti-slip pads can cushion any falls. If your stairs are already carpeted, make sure they fit snugly.

How to make your own protection

If you have the tools, time and resources, custom fencing can be a really fun and stylish way to keep the decor of your home true. There are several different ways to do this, so consider finding the best one for your skills and budget.

To make your own wooden barrier, prepare:

1. smooth, level boards;
2. tools;
3. fasteners for wall and railing;
4. locking mechanism.

A gate or a low fence can be built according to your choice, taking into account the interior design. Each element of the wooden structure must be carefully sanded, and the finished product varnished.

It is also possible to make a gate and mid-flight fences from a strong rope or rope.

There is always something you can do to make your home more secure. How far you are willing to go to protect children depends on your family culture and the time and resources you are willing to devote to the task.

The Eraglass team advises that it is best to consider the safety of children in advance. And he offers to install protection on all his glass products — stairs, handrails and railings, windows, balcony, terrace, doors and porch. Therefore, when contacting us, do not forget to specify this nuance.

FAQ

1. What is the best fence to use — wooden, plastic, glass?

If there are children in the house, it is the screen-type glass railings that will provide reliable protection against a child falling from the stairs or balcony.

2. When should I start using?

As soon as your baby gets a feel for his own legs and starts to crawl or walk, he can quickly disappear from your sight. This usually happens at 6 months.

3. Until what age should they be used?

Most baby gates are recommended for up to two years. When your child begins to learn to climb, children’s barriers become dangerous. Although there are vertical elements that keep children from climbing and provide a secure fit, once your child is 2 years old, you should do without them.