Baby safety gates are useful barriers set up to help ensure that your child stays safe. With so many options to choose from, finding the right baby fence can seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Explore your options at Ace Hardware with North States, Regalo and Safety 1st baby gates available.
Types of Baby Safety Gates
Child gates are particularly useful for helping to prevent falls down stairs, keeping children away from dangerous appliances, and creating safe play areas. This security hardware comes in various styles, including pressure-mounted, hardware-mounted and retractable gates, each designed to provide effective protection.
Hardware-Mounted Baby Gates
These easy-to-install baby fences are anchored to surrounding walls or doorframes with screws or brackets. Due to their extra-sturdy construction, hardware-mounted child safety gates are the safest stair gate option. These gates are an ideal solution for areas that require a more permanent safety solution, such as at the top of a staircase or an entryway to a kitchen.
Pressure-Mounted Safety Gates
These extendable baby gates work like a tension rod and don't require any hardware to install. Simply place a pressure-mounted gate in a door frame or between two walls, then adjust it to the right width and the tension will keep it in place. While they can be installed without tools and moved to different locations as needed, they're not as secure as hardware-mounted baby gates. They’re perfect for doorways and walkways.
Retractable Baby Gates
These gates offer flexibility and convenience, as you can install them like any hardware-mounted gate, but you simply pull out the mesh barrier when you need it, then let it roll back in place when you don’t. Retractable gates are perfect for areas where you need a barrier consistently but every time, and they provide a sleek, unobtrusive look.
When Should You Put Up Your Baby Gate?
The best time to put up a baby gate is before your baby starts crawling. This helps to ensure that you are prepared by the time your little one gets moving. Babies start to crawl around six months old, so consider installation around then. You’ll end up using them for a few years, until your child can safely and confidently navigate your home without them.
What Makes a Great Baby Gate?
Besides deciding on the installation method, there are other factors to consider. Keep an eye out for these safety gate features to find the right fit for your needs:
- How it opens and closes:If you'll need to walk through the security gate multiple times throughout the day, look for a baby gate with a door that can be easily opened by an adult. Some baby gates have one-hand unlocking mechanisms, and certain types of hardware-mounted models swing open for quick access.
- How wide and tall it is: Most child safety gates can block a standard doorway. If you have a larger area to secure, purchase an extra-wide baby gate that stretches further. Consider the height of the baby gate, too, to discourage climbing or accidental tumbles over.
- What it is made of:We carry wooden baby gates, plastic baby gates and gates with vinyl-coated wire mesh panels. Consider the aesthetic effects and the durability to determine the best material for your home.
- Wall protection:Even though pressure-mounted baby gates don't require hardware, some types feature hard pressure caps that might cause damage to your walls. Look for baby safety gates with features like rubber bumpers that offer increased wall protection.
Shop Baby Gates Near You at Ace Hardware
At Ace, we help make it easier to keep your little ones safe. Shop baby gates near you at your neighborhood store, or browse our selection online for fast shipping on child safety essentials. You can also find driveway markers, security cameras and more for greater peace of mind.
