Checklist

Why you need a safety gate

Stairs are an obvious hazard for inquisitive toddlers. In 2010 ACC received more than 21,000 claims for children under two who’d had falls at home. The number of actual falls by children in this age group is probably higher, as many people don’t make ACC claims for toddlers.

From October 2010 to September 2011 the National Poisons Centre received 8496 calls about poison taken by children under two (and in more than 1100 of these cases the child was referred to a doctor). Household cleaners were the most common substance involved, followed by medicines and cosmetics. Safety gates can be used to keep children away from risk areas such as the laundry.

There’s danger outside the house, too. A safety gate or barrier can stop your toddler slipping outside while your back is turned. On average, 5 children a year die from being run over in private driveways.

Here's what to consider if you are thinking of buying a safety gate or barrier.

Type

• Barriers can't be opened, so you’ll have to step over them every time you want to get past.
• Gates are more convenient and safer, particularly if you’re carrying a child. However, if you have older children you need to think about whether you can rely on them to always close the gate.

Size

Make sure the barrier or gate fits the space you want to block off. Some models have extensions you can use, for wider openings.

Installation

Pressure-mounted gates and barriers are held in place by friction, so they’re removable. Some have spring-loaded bars; others have spindles that are wound out until the spindles are tight against the wall. (Some manufacturers supply plastic cups that can be screwed or stuck to the wall or doorway to hold the spindles. These make the gate much more secure.)

An alternative to a pressure-mounted gate is one that’s permanently fixed. But a removable gate or barrier is much more convenient. All the gates and the barrier in our test were pressure-mounted.

Safety

• Could an agile toddler climb over? There should be no horizontal bars or mesh to provide footholds.
• Check for protrusions which might snag clothing, possibly strangling a child.
• Spaces between vertical bars should be between 50 mm and 95 mm wide – too wide to trap a child’s arm or leg but close enough to stop it wriggling through and being caught by the neck.

Opening and closing

Gates that can be opened and closed with one hand (or by using a foot pedal) are convenient. Some gates are self-closing – but make sure they lock properly.