Understanding Baby Safety Gates?
Whether or not you have stairs, if you have a baby, a safety gate is likely to become a necessity. Safety gates aren’t just for preventing falls—they also help keep children away from windows, restricted areas, and other potential hazards, ensuring they remain within your supervision.
With so many different types of gates available, each offering various features and price points, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. It's important to understand that only commercially manufactured gates—those made to meet established safety specifications and that have passed rigorous safety testing—should be considered. They should have a seal of approval that they meet these standards. Custom-built or homemade gates cannot meet these standards and are inherently unsafe.
What many people don’t realize is that certain gates are only suitable for specific locations. Relying on internet reviews for guidance should be avoided. Reviewers may base their opinions on ease of installation rather than safety, not realizing that a gate that's easy to install might not be appropriate—or safe—for every situation. It’s also unlikely that a reviewer has tested multiple gates in multiple settings, and their home setup may differ greatly from yours.
That’s why it's best to consult a Certified Professional Childproofer—like at Babysecure. With hands-on experience installing a wide range of safety gates and deep knowledge of their applications, a professional can recommend and install the right gate tailored to your specific needs and layout.
No single gate is a one-size-fits-all solution, but professionals can help adapt your home to fit the safest option. Certified experts understand not only the products themselves but also how to make safe modifications when necessary.
Send your photos of your home to Babysecure, info@babysecure.ca and we’ll be happy to provide recommendations to help you keep your little one safe.
Following general information about Gates. There are two general types.....
1) Hardware-Mounted Gates
If you need a safe gate for the top of stairs, hardware-mounted gates are the only appropriate choice. In other words, to ensure safety, the gate must be securely screwed into a wall stud or solid wood framing.
While many people think of using pressure-mounted gates because they seem easier to install and less damaging because they do not need to be installed by screwing into walls, they are not safe for use at the top of stairs. These gates lose tension over time, and a child leaning or pushing on them could cause them to fall with the gate. Ironically, the pressure they exert will weaken any railing posts and leave hard-to-repair scuff marks on walls—so they’re not as harmless as they seem. Most people who get them are disappointed with how difficult they are to use and what happened to their walls.
Installation Challenges & Solutions
-
Glass, metal or decorative woodwork banister posts or railings?
Don’t worry—you don’t have to drill into these surfaces. There are Hole-Free Mounting Kits that let you install gates without needing to screw into them.
-
Drywall installation:
If your gate needs to be mounted into drywall, you need to screw into it, ideally to the security of a stud behind. Fortunately, patching holes is a simple job for any painter once the gate is no longer needed.
-
Studs not in the right place?
It can be that studs aren’t always located where you want the gate. In that case, you can use. Wall Gate Mounts or additional fixtures to safely anchor the gate by creating support where you need it.
-
Uneven surfaces or baseboards?
For all intense purposes, gates are required to mount between two flat surfaces, but baseboards and trim can interfere. Don’t try to find a gate that magically fits around these obstacles—instead, use wood fittings or mounting kits to create a flat, level area on both sides. This ensures a secure and safe installation.
Important Safety Notes
-
Never use plastic wall anchors to mount gates—no matter what someone at the hardware store says. These are not strong enough to handle the daily wear and tear of gate use or the force of a child leaning on it. Correct anchors that come with Wall Gate Mount Kits are what is needed for security.
-
Choose the right opening mechanism. Look for a gate that can be opened with one hand, since you’ll often be holding your baby in the other.
-
Open the gate toward you at the top of stairs. Never lean over and push it away from yourself over the stairs, as this can throw you off balance—especially when carrying a child. Many gates include stoppers to prevent them from opening over the stairwell. It is completely unsafe to need to back up, backwards down some stairs to open a gate that swings over the stairs.
-
Hinges matter. Most gates allow a wide range of motion (up to 180°), making it easy to swing them open and keep them out of the way when needed.
-
Angled openings? Many do not realize by there are certain gates which have unique fixtures which can allow a gate to be installed on an diagonal. Be sure to choose the right one for your space.
-
Avoid auto-close gates at the top of stairs. While convenient, no gate with an automatic closing feature is considered safe for stair tops.
-
Stay away from accordion-style gates. These old folding gates have been mostly removed from the market due to serious safety hazards, including entrapment and strangulation. If you still have one, destroy it—it's actually illegal to give it away, even within family.
Retractable Gates
Several companies manufacture retractable gates that meet current safety standards. This is being re-evaluated. These gates work similarly to roller window blinds, retracting into a side casing when not in use. On the surface, they’re popular because they conveniently roll out of the way.
However, from the perspective of Child Safety Specialists and Certified Childproofers, this feature is contrary to safety practice. For maximum safety, gates should always remain closed —especially around stairways. While it may seem convenient to leave a gate open when your baby is napping, leaving gates open is not a safe habit to live by.
Two Important Considerations: Are Retractable Gates Suitable or Practical?
1) Suitability – NOT for the Top of Stairs
Retractable gates are made of flexible mesh, which creates a serious safety concern at the top of stairs. Every manufacturer clearly states that these gates must be installed at least 6 inches back from the edge of the top step. This is because a child could lean against the middle and potentially fall underneath or get stuck under gate as it moves.
Almost all stair layouts don’t allow for that much clearance, making retractable gates unsuitable for stair tops. They are only really suited for hallways, room dividers, or the bottom of stairs, where a fall risk is lower.
2) Practicality – Everyday Use Matters
Retractable gates often require two hands to operate. Typically, because the mesh is flexible you need to hold across the top of it with one hand to stabilize, in order to be able to guide with the other hand in and out of the latch. That’s a challenge when you're holding a baby, groceries, or even just a cup of coffee. Because they’re inconvenient to use, people tend to leave them open—which defeats their purpose of a baby safety gate.
Another common complaint is that some of these gates make ratcheting sound when extending or retracting, which can be especially disruptive around sleeping babies.
To Summarize:
Retractable gates may appear, at first thought, to be an interesting novel idea to gating but they are not safe or practical for all areas—especially not at the top of stairs. If you’re considering one, make sure it’s being used in a location where it's both safe and convenient, and consider prioritizing function over look when it comes to your child’s safety.
2) Pressure-Mounted Gates
Pressure-mounted gates stay in place by pressing tightly against walls. They don’t require screws or hardware, which makes them appealing at first glance—but there are several important limitations and safety concerns to be aware of.
Where They Can—and Can’t—Be Used
-
NEVER use pressure-mounted gates at the top of stairs.
They can be dislodged if pushed or leaned on, making them a serious fall hazard in high-risk areas.
-
Appropriate uses include:
Two Types of Pressure Gates:
-
a) Walkthrough style: Includes a built-in inner doorway you walk through—convenient but has a narrower passage.
-
b) Removable style: Must be taken down and put back up when passing through, which can be tedious and inconvenient on a daily basis.
Things to Know Before You Buy
-
Flat surfaces are essential.
Pressure gates require two flat, even surfaces directly opposite each other to stay securely in place. They don’t work well with baseboards, uneven walls, or curved or narrow bannisters.
-
Wall damage is common.
Despite being marketed as “no-damage” solutions, pressure gates will scuff paint, dent drywall, and leave noticeable marks —especially with frequent removal or a child pushing and pulling on them.
-
No tools needed, but not always user-friendly.
The lack of installation tools can be a plus for some—but once installed, the everyday use of these gates can be frustrating. Walkthrough versions may limit passageway space, and removable gates can be annoying to take down and reset repeatedly. It can lead to adults climbing over the gate which is not only unsafe for them but sets a poor example to the toddlers watching them.
-
Risk to bannisters and posts.
Pressing a gate up against wooden, metal or glass banisters will weaken or damage them over time, compromising both the gate staying up in place and the structural integrity of your railing or bannisters.
-
Walk-through Pressure Gates
Never place a bottom step, the threshold bar of the inner doorway interferes with having a flat clear space to step on.
NOTE ABOUT PETS
While pets are a valued member of the family, for baby safety under no circumstances should you construct, alter a baby safety gate or buy a pet gate which has a pet door. Gates which have pet doors come from the pet industry and are NOT made or tested to the safety specifications outlined by safety agencies for child safety. A smaller doorway is an entrapment hazard for children.
Equally you should not deviate from the baby safety gate's installation instructions as to the height the gate is installed. Lifting it so that a pet can get underneath is also an entrapment hazard for children.
If the pet cannot pass through the slats of the gate or jump over then you will need to open and close the gate for them or consider routine surrounding pet food or litter box, may require relocation.
To Summarize:
Pressure-mounted gates can be a good choice in low-risk areas where there’s no danger of falling, and when used between flat, solid surfaces. But they are not safe for the top of stairs, and the convenience they promise often comes with hidden drawbacks like wall damage, daily inconvenience, and false security.
SUMMARY ABOUT BABY GATES
Child Safety Gates: A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right One
When it comes to keeping your little one safe, choosing the right gate is more than just picking the one that looks best or seems easiest to install. Different gates serve different purposes—and not all are safe in every space.
Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide to help you make the best choice for your home.
🔩 1. Hardware-Mounted Gates
Best for:
How they work:
These gates are screwed directly into studs or solid wood, offering the most secure installation.
✔ Pros:
-
Safest option—especially at stair tops
-
Strong, stable, and reliable
-
Works well with proper mounting kits, even in challenging places
⚠ Considerations:
-
Installation requires drilling into walls or railings
-
Must be anchored into wood—plastic anchors aren’t safe
-
Most often need additional parts to create flat mounting surfaces (due to baseboards or uneven walls)
🚫 Never use plastic wall anchors—they can’t handle the force or wear from regular use.
🚪 2. Pressure-Mounted Gates
Best for:
How they work:
These gates use tension to stay in place between two flat surfaces—no screws or tools needed.
✔ Pros:
⚠ Considerations:
-
Never safe for the top of stairs—they can be pushed loose
-
Only work between solid, flat, even surfaces
-
Frequent use can damage walls, paint, and even bannisters
-
Walkthrough models can reduce available passageway space
-
Removable types can be frustrating to take up and down often
🚫 Avoid installing to bannisters or glass railings —they will cause damage over time.
📏 3. Retractable Gates
Best for:
How they work:
Like a window blind, the mesh gate rolls out from a casing and locks in place. It retracts when not in use.
✔ Pros:
⚠ Considerations:
-
Not allowed at stair tops—must be installed at least 6" back from the top step, which most homes don’t allow
-
Usually requires two hands to operate
-
Noisy ratcheting sound can disturb sleeping babies
-
Inconvenient operation means many parents leave them open—defeating the purpose of a baby gate.
🚫 Never use at top of stairs—flexible material can’t provide proper fall protection.
📋 Quick Comparison by Location
| Location |
Hardware-Mounted |
Pressure-Mounted |
Retractable |
| Top of Stairs |
✅ Recommended |
❌ Not Safe |
❌ Not Safe |
| Bottom of Stairs |
✅ Yes |
⚠ With Caution |
✅ Yes |
| Doorways |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Hallways |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
💬 Final Thought:
While online reviews can help with product insights, they often miss critical safety info. For expert guidance tailored to your home, consider speaking with a Certified Professional Childproofer (like Babysecure). They’ll help you choose a gate that’s safe, functional, and right for your space.
3) Installing Gates
Most gates won’t fit perfectly in your home right out of the box. Rather than searching endlessly for the “right” gate to fit your home, the way to think is you will need to make small adjustments to your home, to make your home fit the gate (see Gate Mounts for more info).
Pressure-mounted gates on banisters can be risky. Over time, the constant pressure may weaken the banister post, making the gate unstable and creating a bigger repair issue down the line. The more force required to hold the gate in place, the more likely the post will become compromised.
When you need to install a gate at the top of the stairs and you have one or two solid walls, the safest and most secure method is to screw a Mounted Gate directly into the wall. Some people hesitate to put holes in their walls, but painters often say it’s no big deal—just a simple fill and paint job. Plus, chances are it’ll be time to repaint anyway when you eventually remove the gate.
If your home has wooden or metal banisters, there are Hole-Free Mounting Kits which prevent the need of screwing into them.
Or, as with walls, most woodworkers can easily repair small holes using wood filler. Ultimately, at the top of the stairs, safety should come first—better to patch a few holes later than deal with a serious injury.
Safely or properly installing baby safety gates is a specialty of it own. Even though a contractor can build a house does not mean he has the knowledge surrounding the safe installation of baby gates. Nor does a trusted handyman. They will often install as they expect things should be put together without reading instructions. With baby safety gates it is critical to follow installation instructions to avoid inadvertently creating hazards
4) Finding a Good-Looking Gate
A lot of parents worry about how a gate will look in their home. The good news? There are more stylish options available than you might think. (BabySecure offers a selection of safety gates.)
Some people consider hiring a contractor to build a custom gate to match their home décor. However, for safety this is not recommended. Contractors are unfamiliar with safety specifications and testing which approved baby safety gate must follow to be put up for sale. They also don't have access to proper childproof locking mechanisms. A custom gate might look good, but it’s often less safe and can cost much more than a well-designed manufactured gate.
Another common idea is to paint or stain a ready-made wood gate. This sounds simple, but it’s a big job. These gates are already finished with wax or stain, and you'd need to sand every surface before applying anything new. Moving parts can be especially tricky, as added layers of paint can clog up hinges or latches, leading to poor performance and visible wear and tear over time.
5) Before You Buy Your Gates
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all gate.
Measure your openings before you shop. Don’t forget to consider how easy the gate is to use. If it's hard to open or close, you'll eventually stop using it properly—leaving it open or even climbing over it, which defeats the purpose entirely.
Since it’s hard to test out gates in stores, talk to friends or consult a babyproofing expert to learn from their experiences.
Think about your daily routines and where gates will fit into them. This will help you decide whether you need mounted or pressure gates.
Also, consider how you may need to adjust your habits. For example, if you often forget to close the basement door, adding a gate might be a helpful backup reminder—even if you might occasionally forget to close that too. Sometimes, just having the gate there helps build safer habits.
6) How to Use Gates
The safest rule? Keep gates closed at all times, even when your baby is asleep. It’s tempting to leave them open overnight, but that can quickly become a risky habit.
Remember: your child watches everything you do. If you climb over the gate, chances are they’ll try to do the same one day. It’s not uncommon for adults—yes, even grandparents—to end up in the ER after falling while stepping over a gate.
Gates can shift over time due to wear and tear from frequent use or changes in temperature and humidity. Just like a door that sticks some seasons and not others, your gate may need occasional realignment.
Also, discourage older kids from hanging or swinging on gates—they’re not jungle gyms! A little care goes a long way in keeping gates functional and safe.
7) Where Do You Need Gates?
Top of Stairs
Always install a gate at the top of open staircases. In some cases, if there's a hallway leading to the stairs, you can place the gate there and maybe reduce the number of gates in the home.
Even if there’s a door at the top of the stairs, many parents still add a gate for extra safety—especially when children start learning to open doors. Gates act as a visual and physical reminder to keep areas secure.
This is particularly important for doors that lead to basements, entryways, or upper-story apartments. Having a gate allows you to carry groceries or move around without constantly worrying about your child wandering near the stairs.
Bottom of Stairs
This area is sometimes overlooked—but it’s usually the first place your crawling baby will head toward. In childhood safety we gate both the tops and bottoms of stairways with equal safety concern.
That said, gates at the bottom of stairs—especially on main levels—can be awkward. You have to bend down and push away from yourself to unlatch them, which is risky if you’re holding your baby.
At BabySecure, we will advise against placing gates at the bottom of main-level stairs. Instead, consider placing L-shaped on the floor in front of the stairway or gates across nearby hallways or doorways—like to the kitchen or living room. This not only keeps the baby away from the stairs but also makes it easier for adults to move around and keeps your supervision zone smaller.
For open-sided staircases, where little ones might try to climb the outside edges of the steps or squeeze through banister posts, a Construct a Shape gate can help. It wraps around the base in a semicircle and fastens under the third or fourth step, keeping everything secure and giving you easy access.
Split-Level Homes
These setups can feel overwhelming with the number of gates needed—sometimes four or more just to do laundry! But strategic planning helps.
When there are side-by-side stairways, you can use one Construct a Shape or Hearth Gates long gate with an inner doorway to cover both openings. You can create a secure "zone" around both the up and down staircases, giving adults free movement inside while keeping your baby safe.
Baby Gate Safety Guide
Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Gates in Your Home
3. Installing Gates
Most gates don’t fit perfectly right away. Instead of hunting for a perfect match, it’s usually easier to adjust your home (see Gate Mounts for help).
-
Avoid Pressure on Banisters: Pressure-mounted gates on banisters can loosen posts over time. The more force needed, the more damage possible—making the gate unsafe and repairs harder.
-
Screw into Walls (It’s OK!): At the top of stairs, screwing into the wall is the safest option. Painters agree: patching holes is easy when it’s time to remove the gate.
-
Mounting to Wood: If you have wood, metal or glass banister posts the are Hole-Free Mounting Kits which help to create secure wood surfaces avoiding holes in them.
-
Don’t Worry About Small Holes: Woodworkers can easily patch small holes. At the end of the day, safety—especially at stair tops—should be the priority.
-
It is Critical to Follow Installation Instructions: To avoid inadvertent possibly creating hazards.
4. Finding a Good-Looking Gate
You don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. Baby gates come in a range of finishes:
Thinking of a custom gate? Think again.
-
Contractors are not familiar with the safety specifications that manufactured baby gates must meet and be tested against, so the gates they build do not comply with these important safety standards.”
-
Childproof latches are integrated into manufactured baby gates and are not easy for a contractor to replicate.
-
Costs can be much more than manufactured gates.
-
Painting or staining store-bought gates rarely works—they're already sealed, and moving parts can get jammed or show scratches.
5. Before You Buy
No gate fits every space. Be prepared!
-
Measure first: Know the size of every opening you want to gate.
-
Test usability: If it’s hard to open, you’ll be tempted to leave it open—or worse, step over it.
-
Ask around: You can’t test every gate in boxes in-store, but friends or babyproofing experts can share useful information.
-
Plan for your routine: Think about where the gate fits into your daily life and what type would be best for your purposes.
-
Adjust your habits: If you're likely to leave doors open, a gate adds another layer of safety and reminds you to stay alert.
6. How to Use Gates
Using your gate properly is just as important as choosing the right one.
-
Keep it closed—always: Even if the baby is sleeping, get in the habit of closing the gate.
-
You are the role model: Climbing over the gate sets a dangerous example. Many adults end up with injuries from trying to step over.
-
Regular maintenance: Gates may shift due to frequent use or changes in humidity. Check alignment and screws periodically.
-
No swinging: Discourage older children from swinging or hanging on the gate—it’s not playground equipment!
7. Where Do You Need Gates?
Top of Stairs
✅ Always gate the top of staircases—even if there's a door.
Bottom of Stairs
❌ Often overlooked, but equally important as the tops of stairs.
-
Babies love climbing—climbing up is often their first target.
-
Gates directly across the bottom can be are awkward to use and children reaching a step might be able to climb over.
-
Instead, create an L - shaped gate on the floor in front or block off nearby hallways or rooms to limit access and improve adult traffic flow.
Open-Sided Stairs
-
Children may try to climb up outside edges of steps or try to squeeze through posts.
-
Use a Construct a Shape Gate to wrap around the stair base and secure to under the 3rd or 4th step. This allows parents to open and close while standing on the stability of the floors avoiding leaning down and pushing away from themselves.
Split-Level Homes
🏡 These homes may need multiple gates, which can feel overwhelming.
-
Try blocking off the entire areas using Construct a Shape or Hearth Gates with extensions.
-
Side-by-side stairways can be boxed-in with one long gate with an inner doorway allowing an adult to pass-within and so eliminating the need for up to 4 separate gates. See Gallery
