Baby gate guide: what to buy for doorways and stairs

• Pressure-mounted gates press against the walls or door frame with no screws. They are quick to put up and take down, and they suit doorways and hallways. Health Canada says some pressure-mounted gates are not designed to be used near stairs.
• Hardware-mounted gates screw into the wall or frame. They take longer to install, but they are the type to look for at the top of stairs, as long as the gate is rated for stairs.

Whichever you pick, check the box and the instructions for where the gate is meant to be used.

• Top of the stairs: use a gate that is rated for stairs, mounted with hardware. Do not use a pressure-mounted gate here unless the maker says it is rated for it.
• Bottom of the stairs: a gate that suits stairs is the safe choice. Check the label.
• Doorways and hallways: a pressure-mounted gate usually works. Measure the opening first, because gates only fit a range of widths.
• Wide openings: look for a gate with an extension kit instead of stretching one past its limit.

Read the safety note on each card. We say when a gate is not meant for the top of stairs. Tap a card to see the live price on Amazon.ca.

This list comes from Health Canada’s advice on safety gates.

• Gates are for children aged 6 to 24 months.
• Pick a gate made for where it will go: a hallway, a doorway, or the top or bottom of stairs.
• Avoid gates with holes big enough for a child to use as toe holds.
• Openings should be too small for a child’s head or body to pass through.
• Do not buy gates with diamond or V-shaped openings wider than 38 mm (1½ in) on the top or sides.
• Look for gates covered by the Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures Regulations.
• Do not use a pet gate for a child.
• Skip gates made before 1990. They may have wide V-shaped tops or head-sized openings.
• Make sure the gate comes with instructions and an age label.

• Follow the maker’s installation instructions.
• Latch or lock the gate every time you close it.
• Put the lock on the side away from your child.
• Check that every exposed part is smooth, with no cracks, splinters or sharp edges.

Looking for more? See our safety and childproofing picks.