Need Suggestions for Best Top of Stairs Baby Gate

Updated on February 02, 2009
J.G. asks from Austin, TX
7 answers

Hello to all the Wondermom's out there!

I need help finding a baby gate to put at the top of my stair case. My little 7 1/2 month old is becoming a "creeper" really fast. Our trouble is that we can't screw in any gates to the wall since we have our house for sale. Or, we are avoiding having to do this for as long as we can. So that mean's we are looking for a good pressure gate. There are lot of choices out there and I know some are not appropriate for the top of stair cases. What worked for you and what kinds would you recommend? I've thought about even making it wider then the opening and bracing it where my daughter would have to knock over mountains to get through it. Of course she would never be upstairs with out us being there but we still want to be safe. Thanks ahead of time for all your help!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to all the wonderful ladies out there who gave their valuable opinions. You were able to sway me to not use the pressure gate and to bite the bullet and just repair the holes in the walls. So this is another proof that Mamasource just works to continue the idea that it takes a village to raise a child!

More Answers

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K.K.

answers from Killeen on

I do not care how "good" a pressure gate is, you have to consider that your childs weight pressed against it, particularly if she tries to use it to stand or to climb over will likely pop it and down goes baby and gate. I know that is not how I want to wake up in the morning.

I suggest that you get the type that screws in for your stair well and fix the holes when you move. Most people purchasing a home understand that and you can explain that they will be repaired when you leave. Who knows, they people who end up purchasing the home may pay extra for you to buy new gates for your next home and have you leave the gates for their precious bundle of J....

Good Luck...;-)

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D.M.

answers from Houston on

I don't think any kind of pressure gate at the top of the stairs is a good idea. The what if has to run thru your mind, and that is a long way down. when we were renting a home when my son was small, we ended up putting a baby gate in at the top that had to be screwed into the wall. we had to fix it of course when we left, but thats what a little putty is for. it was worth the safty of our noah.

D. mattern-muck
moms helping moms work from home:)
http://www.formyrugrats.com

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C.T.

answers from Houston on

This is a pressure gate which needs know screws. I have been using this in my kitchen for the past 6 months.

Evenflo Soft & Wide Gate
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267000

There is an opening going to my dining room that was so wide that I had no choice but to get a different gate which I had to screw in. I have loved it also.

Summer Infant Sure and Secure Custom-Fit Gate
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265804

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T.M.

answers from Austin on

Yes, please don't even consider a pressure gate, that is a potential injury waiting to happen. Just be safe and screw one into the wall, we have a curved type that I purchased at Babies-r-us and it is the best. Fixing the wall is better than worrying the pressure gate at the top of the stairs might snap and she fall down them, good luck.

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T.V.

answers from Houston on

The only gate I have been able to find, that is rated safe for the top of the stairs (they are NOT all rate top mounted safe!) is right here http://www.retract-a-gate.com/prices-buy-retractable-safe... I don't have one yet but will be ordering soon. Best wishes.

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K.B.

answers from Houston on

Hi Jen-

The problem with all pressure mounted gates that I have looked at is that they work best if they have a flat surface on both sides in which to be wedged. If your staircase does not have two solid walls (one on each side) it won't work well. A rounded wooden railing won't work. Now if you do have solid walls and are absolutely sure that you don't want to screw one into the walls then I do have an Evenflo Simple Step gate which we use at the opening to our playroom that has been great. It is wedged so well that even my 6 and 4 years old pushing on it or shaking it to be let in doesn't move the thing a bit.

Here's the link to the gate http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4631175

good luck!
K.

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M.G.

answers from San Antonio on

If you have not gotten one, the curved gate is wonderful! That's what we have at the top of our stairs. It locks wonderfully and you have that step at the top to use. No need to step over it either.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2963240

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