Baby Gates Buying Guide

Babies are intrepid little creatures, exploring their surroundings with the fearlessness and abundant curiosity that we adults often lose as we acquire wisdom and experience. Until their bodies catch up with their boldness, babies need the protection of living in a smaller world. Baby gates are just the thing for creating a hazard-free environment in which your little one can wander. These tips will help you find the best baby gate for your half-crawling, half-walking adventurer.

Safety first

Safety should always be a parent's foremost concern when choosing a baby gate. Safety isn't just a matter of product quality; it's equally important that you find a properly sized baby safety gate that has the right features for your needs. Also, measure the gate area before shopping to see if you require an extra tall or extra wide baby gate.

Specific safety issues to look for include:

• Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) certification, which is indicated by a JPMA logo or seal


• Gate styles that have wide slats or might give precocious infants or toddlers a toe hold for climbing


• For your own safety, walk through or swinging baby gates would help prevent tripping or step-over accidents

Mounting types

There are two basic types of baby safety gates: hardware mounted baby gates and pressure mounted baby gates.

A hardware mounted baby gate attaches to the wall or door frame with screws. This gate type is very sturdy, and it's highly unlikely that a toddler could dislodge it. The down side is that it may cost a bit more, it's not portable, and the screws leave a permanent mark.

A pressure mounted baby gate is "locked" into place, typically by the pressure created by pulling down a handle, which causes the gate to fit snugly between a doorway or two walls. Though inexpensive and portable, these gates could be dislodged by sufficient pressure, and are thus not the best choice for staircases.

Speaking of stairways, we carry a wide variety of baby gates for stairs that are designed to address the common safety concerns that parents have about those areas of the home.

Usage and convenience tips

• If your baby gate will be in a busy area of the home, you may wish to go with one of our hands free baby gates - either that, or start training as an Olympic hurdler.


• Our baby gates are made from metal, plastic, and wood. A wooden baby gate will often be stronger, but a plastic baby gate may be lighter and easier to transport.


• Need to gate different areas at different times? Our expandable baby gates are perfect for use in differently sized areas.


• If your home lacks an easily gated area, we offer a huge variety of playpens and play yards that would create a safer spot for your baby.