An alarming 8,000 children are admitted to the emergency rooms all across the United States due to fall-related injuries. And that number is for just one day. That equals to about 300 falls per hour! Scary fact indeed!
Once your little one starts walking, there are many areas of the house that you’ll need to baby proof. Areas such as the sharp corners of the coffee table, fireplace, fragile decorations, power outlets etc.
In addition to the above, the staircase is also one of the usual culprits where fall-related injuries can happen relatively easily. For a start, you’ll want to add a baby gate to the top of the stairs to ensure that there is no chance your baby will fall accidentally from the higher floors. And after which, you’ll take care of the bottom of the stairs to make sure that your baby doesn’t start climbing up the stairs when you’re not looking.
When looking at top of stairs baby gate, there are a few things you need to know to help you get started. Different houses have different types of staircases so it is important to do some preparation work before hopping on to buy your baby gate.
Step by Step Guide to Baby Gates
Step 1: Measure the Staircase Entrance Width
This is a first thing you need to do in order to get the right baby gate for the top of stairs. Find the right measure because you don’t want to buy a baby gate and find out that it doesn’t fit.
Step 2: Measure the Height of your Baby
This one is important too. Once you have the baby’s height, only then you can choose the best baby gate for the top of stairs.
If you want to choose the perfect baby gate, find the one that is at least three-quarters of the height of your baby. In that way, your youngster won’t be able to pull himself over the gate.
Step 3: Take Note of Any Irregularly Shaped Banisters or Curved Area of Wall
If you have irregularly shaped banisters or curved wall area next to the entrance of the staircase, it may be difficult for regular baby gates to fit nicely as most regular baby gates relies of 2 flat surfaces to mount on.
However, don’t panic as there are many baby gates in the market which now caters to stairs with banister and wall. Some of them can also be installed without any drilling which makes them simple and easy to put together.
Best Seller Top of Stairs Baby Gates
| #1 | Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Gate (Click here to see the price) |
The Cardinal gates are one of the most sturdy and well-made baby gates out there. This particular Cardinal Gates Staircase Special Gate is designed specifically with the top of stairs in mind.
Mount up to 30 degrees angle
One of the reasons why we love this gate is due to its very versatile angular installation module which allows you to mount this baby gate up to 30 degrees angle. This is especially useful if you have a curved wall or irregularly shaped stairs.
Tall height up to 28 inches
The height of this gate is 28 inches long with adjustable width of 27 to 42 inches wide. The bar spacing is 2.5 inch wide so if you have a cat at home, you may want to mount the gate a bit higher (about 4 inches at the bottom) so that your cat can squeeze in and out easily.
Comes in White, Black & Wooden colors
The standard gate comes in white or black color (although black color seems to be more expensive). This model also comes in a wooden version with a slightly different dimension. The gate height is 29 inch and width is 29.5 – 49.5 inches wide. The wooden gate also cost a bit more due to its handsome, solid wood construction in a Colonial Maple finish. The standard gates are made of aluminum with a powder-coated finish.
“Kids-Proof” Latch System
The other most important reason why so many parents out there vouch that this is the best baby gate is its “kids-proof” latch system. Even some adults struggle with it if they weren’t explained how to open it! To successfully open this latch, follow these few step:
1. Push down on both sides of the latch
2. WHILE lifting the gate up an inch or two
3. Then swing the gate open
Do I need anything else to install this?
The answer is NO. This is a turnkey baby gate kit which contains all the nuts and bolts that you need to mount it. It comes with four screws, two bolts, two lock washers, two flat washers, a split ring, two eyelet-type bolts and two nuts.
Do I need to drill into my banister install this?
Unfortunately, in order to secure the baby gate you’ll need to drill into your banister and wall to hold the baby gate up. HOWEVER, if drilling is a no-no for you, then you can consider purchasing the add-on clamp attachment for your banister so that you will not have to drill into them. You will still need to drill into your wall if the other side of the baby gate is a wall and not a banister.
Cardinal Gates Clamp, Square (Click here to read reviews & check price) What if the entrance of my stairs is wider than 42 inches?
There are 2 options of extensions that you can consider depending on your needs. If your entrance is between 42.5 – 53 inches, consider a 10.5 inch extension. And if your entrance 48 – 64 inches, use a 21.5 inch extension model.
Is it easy to install?
Some say that it takes a while to figure out the different components and finally get the baby gate installed. We did ours pretty fast by first watching this YouTube view that shows us step-by-step visual instructions on how to install. Watch this first before you install and you wont regret!
Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Gate, White (Click here to read reviews and check price)
Baby Proof Your Stairs Beyond Baby Gates
So, you’ve installed a perfect baby gate to the top and bottom of the stairs. You give yourself a pat on your shoulders and grin from ear to ear that your little precious one will be safe around the staircase. Yes?
Well, partly yes because you have completed the most difficult part of baby proofing your staircase. And NO, because besides the baby gates, there are other parts of the staircase that you need to look into.
Take care of the sides of the stairs – Banister Guards
For a start, the banister is a huge part to be concern with. Depending on the type of staircase you have, you may need to install banister guard to the sides of the staircase to prevent your child’s hands from slipping through, resulting in a fall or knock on his/her head.
Banister guards are big piece of sturdy plastic sheets that can be attached to the sides of your stairs to prevent anything from slipping through between the banisters.
Kidkusion Kid Safe Banister Guard (Click here to read reviews and check price) If you have uniquely designed stairs, you may also want to install banister guards to prevent your baby/toddler from climbing up the ledges of the stairs.
Get a Soft Landing – Carpeting the stairs
Your little one will be on all fours for a good 1 – 2 years and it is wise to consider carpeting the house to provide a nice soft floor. Even if carpeting is not something for you, at least consider carpeting the stairs and floor at the bottom of the stairs. Wooden or marble flooring can be slippery at times especially if your child just came back from playing outdoors. Carpeting the stairs is good beyond the first 1 – 2 years. When your child starts to walk, run or jump up and down the stairs, a carpeting landing will prevent unnecessary bruises and cuts in the event that your child trips.
Brighten the stairs – Motion Sensor LED lights
Also consider the dangers your stairs would pose when night falls. The tunnel shape stairs is usually light deprived and will get dangerous when your little one trips to go up or down the stairs. Installing lights to your stairs is a simple and easy solution with stick-on motion sensor LED lights. The motion sensor sensitivity is up to 3 meters long and thus will be able to anticipate your child’s movement up and down the stairs and activate the lights.
LED Sensor Light, EZOWare Luxury Aluminum Wireless Stick (Pack of 2) (Click here to read reviews and see the price) De-clutter the stairs – Remove all toys!
Any mothers will know that the stairs sometimes become interesting playing field for your children. For some weird reasons, my children love to “hang-out” on the stairs and play their toys. Maybe because they watch their barbie dolls tumble down the stairs or maybe because they can decorate the stairs with all their Lego pieces. One time, I even stepped onto a piece of Lego when carrying my little girl down the stairs! That hurts a lot! and I almost tripped and lose grip on my girl. Luckily I didn’t and from then on, the stairs is out of bound to my 2 kids to play. I cannot overemphasize the importance of de-cluttering the stairs. Set ground rules such as no playing on the stairs and no toys to be left lying around on the stairs. This will definitely save you lots of pain later on!
Pin & Share this!
