Now that your toddler is becoming more mobile and is more curious of exploring his environment, you have to put boundaries on where your toddler can and cannot go. To help make your job easier, you need to buy a child safety gate. Safety gates for toddlers are an essential childproofing gear you must have in your home. Here are safety gate buying tips that will help you figure out how to buy the best safety gate that will offer your toddler protection around the house.

Assess Your Needs

The first thing you have to consider when buying safety gates for toddlers is your needs. Do you want a safety gate for the stairs? Or are you looking for one that can prevent your little one from accessing the bathroom or kitchen? You can choose from two types of child safety gates – hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted safety gates.

A hardware-mounted safety gate is permanently secured to the walls with screws. This is ideally used at the top or bottom of the steps in your home. Hardware-mounted child safety gates are pricier and harder to set-up than pressure-mounted gates but they are durable and gives better protection. On the other hand, a pressure-mounted safety gate can be moved from room to room and relies on pressure to stay in place. This gate is more affordable and is best used for less hazardous areas such as doorways, not the staircase.

Think About Height

Height is another important consideration when choosing safety gates for toddlers. Look for a safety gate that is short enough so you can simply get over it without having to take it down each time you need to get by but at the same time, tall enough to so your little one cannot get over it or climb over.

Check The Spacing of The Bars

Go for a child safety gate with vertical slats or one with a fine mesh screen. Vertical slats and mesh screens are more effective in preventing a toddler from climbing over. In addition, see to it that the bars are set close enough together, no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. This is to keep your little one from placing his head in between the slats and avoid getting trapped. If you prefer a child safety gate with a mesh screen, make sure that the holes are not small enough to keep your toddler from poking through the holes and trapping his tiny fingers.

Get The Right Size

Another point parents should keep an eye out when buying safety gates for toddlers is the size. Look for a safety gate that is wide enough. Opt for a gate with an extension so it can secure a larger area or a gate with interlocking sections to enclose a bigger hazard.

Choose One That Opens Easily

Pick a child safety gate that is easy to open. Choose a door that you can effortlessly open with one hand but automatically locks behind you, restricting your toddler from following you. This way, you will not have to worry if you or other family members latched the gate behind them.

Make Sure It Has The Seal

Safety gates for toddlers should bear a seal that they are JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) certified. This seal serves as a guarantee that the safety gate has passed current safety standards.

Try Before You Buy

As much as possible, test a few models in the store before heading to the cashier. This way, the sales personnel can show you the proper way of installing the safety gate and to make sure that the safety gate you choose is in excellent condition and is safe and easy to use.

To maximize the effectiveness of your child safety gate, always keep a close eye on your toddler. Remember, no gate can completely safeguard your toddler from mishaps.