Baby Gates
Do All Families Need Baby Gates?
Yes, all families in all types of home situations need baby gates. There will always be at least one place where it’s not safe for a newly mobile baby to go, and parents will need at least one baby gate, maybe more than one, to keep baby safe. Baby safety gates are absolutely necessary in any house that has stairs. A baby safety gate must be placed at the bottom and the top of the stairs, ideally, but definitely at the bottom of the stairs, to keep the baby from possibly climbing the stairs and falling down. A baby gate is a very important piece of baby equipment and should not be chosen lightly. If parents are not sure what baby gate to use, or where to put one, there are social support programs run by the Department of Children and Families in every city that will send trained volunteers to the home to show parents where to put baby gates and how to baby proof the house or apartment. Sometimes the DCF will even give low-income families all the baby proofing materials they need including baby safety gates.
What Types Of Baby Gates Are The Best?
There are many different types of baby gates, in many different types of materials. Swing baby gates are the best for kitchens, stairs, or anyplace where adults need to go frequently but babies shouldn’t go. Always place a baby safety gate at the entry to the kitchen when someone is cooking to make sure that baby doesn’t wander in to “help”. A swinging baby gate has a section that locks but when unlocked will swing open so that adults can pass through but babies can’t. A retractable baby gate is great for any area where a baby gate doesn’t need to be permanently, such as at a caregiver’s house or grandparents house. Be sure that any baby gate has been tested and approved by the AMA before purchasing and installing it. Choosing which infant safety gates to buy is a very big decision. Extra wide baby gates are good for kitchens or living rooms or areas that are very large. Sometimes people whose children are older will have baby gates that they will give to new parents for free. Pet gates are not appropriate to be used a baby gates, they are not strong enough and can be dangerous. Never use a pet gate as a baby gate. Two highly recommended brands of baby gates are Safety First baby gates and Dream Baby baby gates.
