Baby Gates
If only parents can watch over their babies 24 hours every day. But then, work, personal necessities, and human nature demand time as well. Hence, to make sure that their babies are safe despite the absence of watchful eyes, childproofing items are considered their best options.
Baby gates are among the most important and reliable childproofing items available. Babies love to explore. And no matter how often parents tell them that stairs are unsafe, babies will only think they’re talking gibberish. Typically, babies who are between 6 months and 24 months are still trying to discover the world and what it has to offer. So, if you have fear of heights, and stairs make you nauseous, for babies, these are all but part of one exciting package.
Babies are smarter than most parents think they are. But that does not mean they’d stop from venturing out of their comfort zone just because mommy told them to stay put. And most often, babies find pleasure in doing the exact opposite of what they’re supposed to do. Since it is not appropriate to tell them to go ahead and climb the stairs, and use other forms of reverse psychology, parents are starting to turn to a more reliable approach – the use of baby gates.
Baby gates spell out what parents want to convey to their children – stairs, pool, fireplace, and other gated areas are off limits. However effective a baby gate is, it should only be considered as a complement to other safety measures, and should never, in any way, be made as a substitute of actual adult supervision.
Baby gates are available in two major types: the pressure-mounted gates, and the hardware-mounted ones. Pressure-mounted baby gates mostly come with two panels which are adjustable to fit into the opening. Locking mechanisms, such as pressure bar, keeps the panels attached to the door frame or wall. Most products under this type have span openings of 42 inches, although some are as wide as 48 or 60 inches. Optional extensions may also be bought for certain products.
Pressure-mounted products are considered to be less reliable baby safety gates since these are rather easy to detach. Even those which are known to be of good quality will eventually loosen. These baby gates are not recommended for use in areas where babies could fall, although it can be used at the bottom of the stairs to prevent the baby from climbing up.
The hardware-mounted baby gates are the safer option for babies. The swing baby gate belongs to this type, and can even be installed in a way that it only swings open in one way. Thus, if you intend to install a hardware-mounted baby gate on top of the stairs, you can let it swing open against the stairs. This type is also a better choice because they are less likely to come loose with use. Installation involves drilling holes into the wall. However, holes may be filled up when the baby gates are not needed anymore.
Although baby gates are considered as vital childproofing items, some models are also potential hazards. When choosing from among the various models on the market, check if they don’t pose any danger to your child. Some gates have V-shaped edge or diamond design slats, which can actually cause injury or strangulation. Make sure that that the slats are close together to prevent the baby’s head from getting trapped in between.
No one can deny the fact that baby gates serve a huge purpose in protecting children. But these safety measures do not work all by themselves. Parents are as responsible, and should not put the entire responsibility on these things.