How to Baby Proof Your Stairs to Prevent Falls

VD October 10 2021

A staircase is the most commonplace in the house where kids trip and fall every day across the U.S and end up in emergencies. CDC report shows that about 8,000 kids become the victims of falling from the stairs each day, sometimes getting injured severely. 

Let this guide help you to baby-proof stairs for the safety of your toddler. 

Before you begin

The best way to safeguard your child from the staircase is to use a method that keeps them away from it. The top solution is using a baby gate to prevent your child from reaching the stairs. 

Let’s go through a brief buying guide, so you can have an idea as to what type of baby gate would be suitable for your staircase.

  • Do you use the staircase regularly? 

If that’s the case, then you would need a baby gate that opens and closes instantly to use conveniently. If you are not using the gate each time, then a pressure-mounted baby gate is the best suitable option. 

  • Do you transport things up and down the stairs often? 

If that’s the case, then you would require a baby gate you can access with a single hand.  This prevents injury if you are carrying an item with the other hand.

  • Do you want to restrict access to a nearby room along the stairs? 

In this case, you would want a more extensive gate to cover a large area.

You could look out for many other aspects to ensure that the baby gate you want to choose is suitable for baby-proofing the stairs. 

  • How old is your kid?

Before purchasing a baby gate, consider the age of your child. A gate with solid panels is strong enough to prevent your crawling or walking toddler from climbing over it; however, if he/she reaches 36” height then such gates can be a problem.

Also, there are some baby-gates with 4 panels that make it easier for your little one to pass through the gap or climb over them even though they are tall enough not to do so.

  • Consider the urgency.

Do you want something which you can install immediately? Or, would you prefer to take your time, planning everything to the last detail?

If that’s the case, then pressure-mounted baby gates are a good choice because you can set it up anywhere depending on your requirements. Just make sure that there is no door frame where you will be installing it. You need an extra tension rod or mounting cups if there is a door frame.

For long-term installation, you need to drill the wall plates on either side of the staircase before attaching the gate to them. You can use an Allen wrench or 3/32” hex key for screwing in the hardware into wood or metal walls.

  • How wide are your stairs? 

For wider staircases, you might need to buy extra hardware to expand the width of your existing gate. The gate’s maximum width it can cover is 38” without any additional purchase.

  • What type of stair does it have?

Before buying a baby gate, consider if there is more than one level in your home or there are different levels for various rooms.

If that’s the case, then you would need to buy a gate with an expandable width that can cover wide areas without needing additional hardware.

The gate should be tall enough and strong enough to prevent your child from climbing it.

If the space between the bars is large, then your children can pass through them or climb up easily; therefore, you need a gate with small spaces in between each bar.

  • What’s your budget?

As different baby gates come in various prices and features, choosing one within your budget range might get confusing for you. If that’s the case, then read customer reviews about these products before buying them. You can find useful advice on forums and product review websites that would help you choose the best baby gate without wasting too much money on it. 

However, if you need something inexpensive but secure, you could consider purchasing hardware-mounted baby gates.

Another thing you should consider is how secure it has to be, especially if you have pets at home. For this purpose, pressure-mounted baby gates are an ideal choice because they can easily be removed without damaging the walls or banisters. Furthermore, you can also lock them to ensure pet safety.

  • What other features would you prefer?

Pressure-mounted baby gates are easy to install and remove; therefore, there’s absolutely no need for drilling holes in your wall if you want something temporary. It is also worth mentioning that some models can even be used as play yard dividers depending on your needs. However, these types of gates might not provide complete support for play yards which makes them useless as a pet barrier.

If you’re looking for a gate that can be used in the play yard, then choose one which has a two-way opening or comes with an extra hardware kit. You might also need to consider if you want something more versatile like a swing gate but make sure it is secure enough to withhold your kids from climbing over them.

A pressure-mounted baby gate provides excellent support for play yards, but they are only suitable for use on the same level because of their weight and width.

For long-term installation, always choose hardware-mounted baby gates because they will not damage your walls or banisters due to mounting screws while providing complete safety against pets roaming around freely. And lastly, if you have heavy pets at home, choose a gate that comes with a durable frame and hardware.

Baby gates for covering a larger space

You would need to install a baby gate properly by using screws and hardware to mount it. You'd have to attach it with walls or door frames for covering a larger area. 

Moreover, to cover more space, 3-in-1 baby gates would be the best option. These gates come with extensions that allow you to buy as many pieces you deem suitable for protecting the child. 

Metal baby gates

A metal baby gate is durable and sturdy. Your child won’t be able to break through the gate and remain safe in a separate space. 

Features

  • Durable and long-lasting 
  • Convenient assembly and installation 
  • Comes with unlimited extensions

Wooden baby gates 

If you prefer wood over metal, then get a wood baby gate that is well-built and sturdy. It will prevent your child from accessing the stairs and keep them secure. 

Features: 

  • Offers unlimited extensions 
  • Easy to install
  • Multipurpose 

Baby gates that cover the stair entrance

To baby-proof stairs with a smaller base, you would require a baby gate that is just the right size and length. 

Expandable baby gates 

Expandable baby gates are very effective in restricting the child from reaching the staircase. 

In addition, they are pretty durable, lightweight, easy to install, and portable. You place the expandable baby gate against flat surfaces to fix it in the correct position. 

Features: 

  • The door closes automatically 
  • Includes hardware for easy installation 
  • Durable enough to ensure safety 

Baby gate for securing the top of the staircase 

You would require a pretty tall baby gate to babyproof the top of the staircase. A swinging gate would be the perfect choice to prevent your child from pushing or climbing the gate. 

Swinging baby gate

A swinging gate is tall, durable, and long-lasting. It will stop your child from tripping or falling. 

Features: 

  • Convenient to open the door 
  • No threshold 
  • Easy to install 

Hardware mounted baby gates

These are perhaps one of the safest choices when it comes to protecting children. Installing hardware-mounted baby gates are pretty simple, they are tall, sturdy, and durable.  

Features: 

  • Includes hardware for easy installation 
  • Offers unlimited extensions
  • Sturdy and durable

Hence, with these features, you can have a better idea about which baby gate to choose for the staircase. When it comes to your child’s safety, there is nothing more important than double-checking your purchase. So, make sure that the baby gate is sturdy and durable enough.

Gate inside the stairs

If your staircase is fully enclosed with walls on each side of it, you would be able to fit in a gate between these walls to restrict access. This way, you can block the entire space with just one single gate. 

Features: 

  • Can be installed without any tools 
  • Standard-sized gate fits most types of stairs 
  • The gate between the risers  

A gate between the stairs would restrict access to a smaller area and allow you to secure one side of the staircase at a time. You can fit in a gate between the risers to keep your child from reaching out to the stairs. Instead of installing a baby gate at just one place, you can install 2-3 baby gates at different spots. This will provide more protection for your child and prevent them from accessing the stairway.

The gate between the walls

The best way to protect your child would be to fit a gate between two walls. When it comes to safeguarding the area, fitted baby gates are both secure and simple to install. 

Features: 

  • All-metal construction provides durability and strength to the baby gate
  • Hardware mounted for ease of installation
  • Convenient all-around walk through the door

Install a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs as well as the top

By installing a baby gate at both ends, you can restrict access to all parts of the staircase. This will keep your child away from the stairs and provide you with peace of mind.

Features: 

  • Includes hardware for easy installation
  • Connects to walls or banisters up to 5-1/4″ apart
  • Securely attaches to the wall

Go for accordion baby gates

They are like an expandable style gate that provides you with extra space when needed. If you are using this type of baby gate, it is made of four panels that fold down to allow more space when necessary.

Features: 

  • Can be used in both straight and curved doorways

  • Easy to operate on one hand

  • Able to open up or fold away easily

Gate at the bottom of the stairs

When it comes to safety, a baby gate at the bottom of the staircase is a must. Keeping your child within a limited space will prevent them from going up or down. So, it is advisable to fit a gate at the bottom of the stairs.

Features: 

  • The gate contains pressure mounts for quick set-up
  • Can be used between rooms or open spaces
  • Easily installed on almost all types of surfaces

DIY baby gates

If you're hesitant about going to a store and buying a baby gate, you can go the DIY way. Here, you would have a wide variety of options to choose from and it would be easier for you to come up with a solution that will suit your house's needs perfectly.

Features: 

  • Hardware mounted for ease of installation
  • Convenient all-around walk through door

Gate at the middle of the stairs

If you need a baby gate but don't like any of those suggested above, you can always install several baby gates at different spots and place them together in order to fit exactly where needed. You can also purchase an extended gate or two separate baby gates for this purpose.

Features: 

  • Can be used in both straight and curved doorways
  • The gate contains pressure mounts for quick set up
  • Convenient all-around walk through the door

Conclusion

Hopefully, these tips and suggestions can guide you to select a suitable baby gate ideal for baby-proof stairs. You can also consider other solutions like installing a no-holes baby gate tool to attach the gate directly without drilling in case you live in a rented property. Also, carpeting the stairs would be a very good way to protect toddlers from getting injured.

As a parent, it’s your duty to take all possible measures for the safety of your baby. To protect them from falling downstairs or getting hurt due to pets roaming around at home, you should look for baby gates that serve your purpose. After all, there are too many dangers in the house that can harm them even if they try to touch something dangerous by themselves.

You can get help from other parents on forums and product review websites about which baby gate will be perfect for your staircase as well as the play area. They will guide you towards choosing an appropriate one according to their own experience which might come in handy when making this decision!