Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — As soon as your baby begins crawling, securing your home can become a challenge. How do you keep your child away from the stairs? How do you keep the over-friendly dog away from the baby? Safety gates can help to alleviate some of these challenges.
New technology has made baby safety gates more lightweight and convenient than ever. There are two main kinds: pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted, although hybrid models using both technologies are becoming more commonplace.
Pressure-mounted gates are held in place when you expand them out and they press against two surfaces. They’re nice because they’re portable and don’t require any hardware to be attached to the walls. Where they are lacking, however, is in stability. It’s never recommended to put them at the top of stair cases.
Hardware-mounted gates are much sturdier. They affix directly into the wall, so they obviously leave marks. But their added reliability makes them a great choice for precarious places like at the top of stair cases.
As you consider the needs of your home, you may feel that you only need one type of gate. Larger homes with multiple levels may be best served with a hybrid. Here’s a look at four popular models currently on the market.
Safety 1st Easy-Fit® Security Gate
PRICE: $24
GRADE: B-
This pressure-mounted gate is one of the most affordable. It’s 27-inches tall and can span any space between 28 and 42 inches. It features a reliable lock so young ones can’t release it on their own. Another benefit is the memory feature that makes it easier to reset the gate, though it’s most convenient when used for a specific location in the home.
As far as durability, the Easy-Fit® is sturdy enough in the early going but will likely need replacing after a few years, and will probably only last for one or two children.
Safety 1st Perfect Fit Dual-Mode Security Gate
PRICE: $49
GRADE: A
Safety 1st also makes the Perfect Fit Dual-Mode gate, which offers significant upgrades from the Easy-Fit®. For starters, the Dual-Mode gate comes with mounting hardware, meaning you can use it either as a pressure-mounted or hardware-installed gate. This hybrid design is handy, because you can pressure-mount it in a hallway or doorway, or permanently install it in dangerous places like the top of stair cases. When hardware-mounted, it can easily be unlatched and swings open for quick access.
Like the Easy-Fit® gate, this model is also 27 inches tall and has a span of 28 to 42 inches, though when using the mounting hardware that range changes slightly to 30 to 42 inches.
The Dual-Mode gate is lightweight enough to tote around your house. It has bumpers on the edges to protect walls when pressure-mounted, though after repeated use it will likely begin to leave marks and small dings.
Summer Infant Deluxe Top of Stairs Wood Walk-Thru Gate
PRICE: $79
GRADE: B+
This gate from Summer Infant is another hybrid product that can be either pressure-mounted or hardware-installed depending on your needs. The most obvious difference between this gate and many of the others on the market is that it has a cherry wood finish and is intended to complement your home décor.
At 29 inches tall, this gate offers nice height and can fit openings from 29.5 to 40.5 inches wide. It differs from the other models included on this list because it has a built-in swinging gate that gives it convenient “walk-thru” access. Once installed, you can open and close the gate using one hand, which is often necessary for busy parents.
If you’re looking for a gate that won’t stand out quite as much as the white and beige products that are so often sold at stores, this gate may be a great option for your home.
KiddyGuard® Avant™ baby safety gate
PRICE: $167
GRADE: A-
The Avant™ safety gate has a hefty price tag, but also boasts a lot of features that make it safe and convenient. It’s exclusively a hardware-mounted model, meaning that once you screw it into your wall, it’s there to stay. With that said, it’s also one of the sleekest gates on the market due to its retractable mesh panel. The panel is compactly stored inside the unit when not in use, and when you need it, simply pull it out and secure it to the housing on the opposite wall.
Though the idea of a mesh barrier may not sound secure enough to some parents, the Avant™ gate is completely safe and is JPMA-certified for use at the top of stair cases. And the mesh is much more durable than you might think. It’s fairly easy to open and close, and most people can do it one-handed after some practice.
One benefit of the mesh panel is its light weight and it covers more area. The Avant™ can stretch up to 51 inches (compared to a maximum of 42 for the other gates in this review). It’s also 32 inches tall.
While it’s easy to operate once installed, the Avant™ takes some effort to install. If there is baseboard on the walls, you’ll need to use spacers at the top of the housing so that it is mounted perfectly flush. Once it’s in place, you’ll be pleased with the convenience and safety it offers.
Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.
