Location Stair gates at the top of the stairs should open towards the landing, not towards the flight of stairs, to avoid falling forwards while opening the gate. You should only use screw-fit gates at the top of the stairs. To rate the stair gates within our roundup, we based our recommendations on testing, our experience of using multiple stair gates, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors we considered included the gate’s sturdiness, ease of entry, aesthetics and swing or retractable doors, warranty and value. Best Baby Gate Overview If you're planning on getting a dog (but a baby could also be on the horizon), you're best off choosing a baby stair gate that holds up in our tests so you can be assured that it will be suitable for protecting both children and animals. Be aware of household chemicals, medicines or poisonous liquids. Keep out of a child’s reach and store in high cupboards. In November 2019, Argos recalled all but one of the stair gates from its Cuggl range after carrying out product testing that was triggered by our May 2019 stair gate testing, which uncovered two Don't Buys.

Cleanliness: Does the gate show grubby fingerprints? Is it easy to clean? Is there a bar that gets in the way when vacuuming? Safety and stability: Did the gate shift once installed? Were there any sharp corners or edges? Were there any small gaps that might trap a child’s fingers? Is the gate well made? Innovatively designed, this gate can easily be operated with only one hand. The gate can open in either direction and includes an optional 1-way swing setting. The aim of Which? stair gate testing is to highlight potential issues and encourage manufacturers to take another look at their product and ensure it's the best and safest it can be.Baby gates with a door: Do you share your home with pets? If so you risk sabotaging your cats roaming space, so look for gates with pet flaps.

To pass our testing, the stair gates we review must meet the requirements of the relevant safety standard. This ensures that they're sturdy, and can withstand the shakes and rattles of a determined child. Think of the world from a little one’s perspective: What could you see if you were at their level? Get down on your knees so you can see what they see! Look out for any potential dangers you can spot at their eye level. Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly. Combining contemporary modern stylewith uncompromising levels of safety, Fred has created a range of gates that are unparalleled in their elegance and effectiveness. Made from the highest possible quality materials throughout, the sculpted Poplar wood taken from sustainable forests provides warm, elegantly finished protection in your home.Pressure gates ALWAYS need to be fitted with wall cups, but with our Fred SecureHold™ adhesive, these can simply be fitted with adhesive against wood - though you’ll still need to use screws for fitting the wall cups to other surfaces. Reassuringly child-proof Although the BabyDan Guard Me is safe for use anywhere in your home, the best stair gate for use at the top of the stairs is the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, which is also the best screw-fit stair gate we tested. The BabyDan Guard Me is the best stair gate to buy overall, but the retractable screen does have a bit of give to it, and it needs to be installed at least 9cm from the top of the staircase. There’s nothing quite as exciting as watching your baby strike forward independently for the first time. Whether they’re commando creeping, crawling on all fours, or cruising the furniture like a pro, it's a moment that has many parents reaching for their cameras, desperate to capture those precious first moments. And then, as your baby inches closer and closer to the stairs which, previously, had been safely unattainable, reality hits: it’s time to baby proof. All stair gates fit one of two main categories: pressure-fit or screw-fit. Screw-fit (wall-mounted) stair gates