7 stair gate mistakes every parent needs to know about
A baby stair gate or barrier is useful for keeping any intrepid explorers away from stairs or out of rooms that they shouldn't be in. But installing them incorrectly or not using them properly can make them incredibly unsafe.
Find out about the key risks to watch out for, as well as other stair gate hazards you need to avoid when installing your safety barrier.
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1. Not screwing in a stair gate at the top of the stairs
We always advise installing a screw-fit gate, or screwing in a pressure-fit gate at the top of your stairs.
This is for two reasons:
- Pressure-fit gates usually have a U-bar frame that runs along the floor, which can pose a trip hazard. This can be particularly dangerous if you're at the top of the stairs going down through the gate and you trip over it and fall.
- Screw-fit gates tend to be a more secure fit than pure pressure-fit gates because they're fixed with screws.
It's less important to use a screw-fit gate at the bottom of the stairs, but it's probably still a good idea as nobody wants to trip up the stairs or on the last step.
If you live in a rental property and can't leave holes in the wall, then choose a pressure-fit gate to go near the stairs that's passed all our safety testing to ensure it stays securely fastened.
See all our screw-fit stair gate reviews
2. Not reading the instructions
Over the years, we've tested stair gates from a wide range of brands, and have come across some that market themselves as pressure-fit gates that don't need screwing in.
But on closer inspection of the instructions, it will state that the wall cups, which hold the pressure fixings in place, do need to be screwed in.
If you haven't read the instructions properly, you might install the gate incorrectly by not fitting the wall cups with screws.
This can be frustrating if you bought the gate thinking you wouldn't need to make holes in your walls or door frame, especially if you're in rented accommodation with no option of screwing a safety barrier in.
Do your research and check what the manufacturer says rather than what's stated in the product description given by the retailer.
Go straight to the best stair gates to find out which ones sailed through our tough tests
3. Forgetting about other rooms
Safety barriers are most commonly used to block stairways. However, it's also worth considering placing a gate at the entrance to the kitchen or utility room. This will stop inquisitive babies and toddlers from getting in to somewhere that has a host of dangers, such as a hot oven door, pans on the stove or washing tablets under the sink.
Keep an eye on your child by using one of our best baby monitors
4. Not inspecting the adhesive pads
However, it's worth inspecting the pads more closely. Our tests have found that on some, the glue has started to deteriorate, which can affect how well the wall cups stay in place.
If the sticky pads look a little old or yellow, you should try to buy replacements. Check if the manufacturer provides additional pads, or search for 3M double-sided sticky pads online.
What are the best pressure-fit stair gates?
5. Not checking your auto-close gate shuts properly
An auto-close gate is one that will click shut behind you, without you having to do it manually.
The mechanism that does this is based on the gate being pulled wide open and swinging back, using the momentum of a spring in the closing mechanism.
However, you should always glance back to make sure it has locked properly. We've tested gates that don't always lock if they're not let go from the widest opening position, and this could be a real safety risk.
Which? Don't Buy stair gates – see why a gate might not pass our tests
6. Forgetting about skirting boards
Some stair gates require a wall or door frame that's completely in line, so the top and bottom gate fittings line up perfectly with each other.
If you have a skirting board, you might need to buy spacers – these are pieces of plastic that you can use to build out the wall area to match the width of the skirting board, so the fittings can line up precisely.
These can usually be bought from the manufacturer, but do check this is the case before you invest in your stair gate.
Read our stair gate reviews to compare 38 stair gates costing from £20 to £155
7. Not examining your gate regularly
Take a look at your gate at least once a month and tighten any fittings or screws if needed.
This is to check that any repeated rattles or shoves by a determined toddler haven't loosened anything, which could affect the structural integrity of the gate.
If it's a wooden stair gate, look out for any signs that the wood might be deteriorating or splitting.
Which? stair gates keep your child safe
We test stair gates to the latest EU safety standard, putting them through their paces with a range of checks in a lab to ensure they're sturdy and secure.
These include attaching a clamp to the top of the gate and pulling it back and forth 10,000 times, to mimic a child pulling on it over time.
We also hit the gate in different areas, including on the fixing points, to replicate what might happen if a child were to kick it. This way we can check if any parts are likely to break or come loose.
If the gate does come loose, we make it an automatic Don't Buy product, with a safety alert attached to it to warn parents.
This is because the stair gate has failed in its primary purpose: to remove access to certain areas of the house.
Find out more about our rigorous testing by reading our guide to how we test stair gates
