Playpens and Baby Gates

1. Anyone who's has a baby, is expecting a baby, or knows someone who has or is expecting a baby is going to want a playpen or a play yard. While a baby in a playpen still needs to be checked on, playpens provide a great amount of mobility for baby and a chance for parents or caretakers to take a little breather from constant supervising.

2. Be vigilant about what kind of toys you allow in the playpen. Toys should be age- appropriate and pose no risk when used outside your supervision. Never leave children in playpens with anything that could pose a choking or strangulation hazard. Also, never choose a playpen with slats more than 2.4 inches apart. The closer the slats, the better.

3. Before selecting you playpen, think about where you plan to use it. Are you planning to use it outdoors to keep your little one contained while you garden? You'll want something that goes full circumference, and a plastic playpen may make a better choice than a metal playpen since it won't absorb the sun's heat as much.

4. If you're using the playpen inside, keep in mind that you can make use of existing walls and may just need a 2- or 3-sided playpen. Indoor playpens will keep little ones away from heat sources, outlets and other dangers, but don't let them give you a false sense of security. Children should be monitored at all times.

5. Once you've chosen your playpen don't forget to see what type of playpen accessories are available. Many playpens come with additional panels so you can easily and economically enlarge your existing playpen as your baby, or your brood, grows!

6. Finally, if you decide on using a hand-me-down playpen, check it thoroughly for stability and function. A quick check at the Consumer Product Safety Commission will determine whether the playpen has been recalled, too.

7. While it may sound like a new political scandal, a baby gate serves an important purpose. Primarily, baby gates are best employed at the tops of stairs to prevent an unfortunate fall. If you have a climber, though, it may make sense to put them at the bottom, too.

8. Often, the baby gate is overlooked by even the most fastidious baby-safe households. If you're going to baby-proof the outlets, sharp corners, and whatnot, a baby gate is the next logical step. Modern baby gate options can even stay up 24/7 and not be in the way of adults. That's because today's baby gate is literally a gate with a latch and a hinge. Much easier than hoisting one leg over the bar.

9. One option for mounting baby gates is the pressure mount gate, which is ideal for moving from one place to another. This gate is typically operated with a spring or threaded device to fit any opening. Don't forget to check for baby gate accessories like gate extensions.

10. Another option is the hardware mounted gate, which is a more permanent solution. This gate most frequently swings or slides open with ease, making it nothing of an impediment to normal traffic. For use at the top of stairs, there's really no option but a hardware-mounted gate. Pressure-mounted models could be pushed out of place, causing a real falling hazard.