Pressure-fit and retractable stair gates are not a good option for the top of stairs because their design incurs a trip hazard and they are not as sturdy. Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly.

At Safetots we have a range of wooden safety gate options for all kinds of solutions, including wooden baby gates for stairs and auto-close wooden safety gates. All of our safety gates comply with British and European safety standards, meaning you can have complete confidence that you’re protecting your whole family. These wooden stair gates aren’t just for children either, because they also make stylish dog gates . The most popular recommendations were pulled together to include in a longlist of approximately 30 stair gates, then whittled down to form our final shortlist. How we tested the stair gates Ensure that the gate opens towards the landing, not outwards towards the stairs, or you could fall forward while opening it. Gates at the top of a staircase should always open towards the landing, not out across the staircase Material A wooden or metal side-opening stair gate will need plenty of room to swing open, so you need to think about potential obstructions and whether it will be awkward to navigate around.

You can stop using a stair gate when you’re confident that your child can go up and down the stairs safely on their own (which includes the middle of the night). This will depend on the individual child, but this usually happens at around two or three years of age. If your child doesn’t pull or push on the gate, which could cause it to shift or break, and doesn’t attempt to climb over it, you can keep it in place until you feel comfortable removing it. What are the different types of stair gate? We put all stair gates through an impact test where they are hit three times with a 25kg weight (that's roughly the same weight as a small female labrador or a large springer spaniel), to see if the gate comes loose or breaks. 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. 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. Screw-fit gates are the best type to use at the top of the stairs because they are the most secure and don’t cause a trip hazard.

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. 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.

Are pressure-fit stair gates safe?

Assembly: How easy was the gate to install? Were the instructions clear? Were any additional tools or fixings required? The aim of this alliance is to raise the level of child safety in the home through education and improved home safety products. Fred therefore follows a continuous improvement program with all of its products to ensure that parents can relax knowing that Fred products are the safest available. Although the Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate is the only pressure-fit gate that claims to be able to be used at the top of a staircase, we still think it’s preferable to use a screw-fit, wall-mounted gate wherever possible. This leaves far less room for error and, once the gate is installed correctly, it won’t shift even if your child pulls on it. There’s also no ground bar to cause a trip hazard. Some stair gates also come with a small door inset into the gate, to let a smaller pet through while keeping large people and dogs out. The key purpose of a stair gate is to keep your curious toddler away from anything that might cause them harm, including flights of stairs and busy kitchens.

However, the very best stair gates won't just be secure and safe. They'll have simple instructions for a straightforward installation, and will be easy to open and close. Pressure-fit gates are very safe for use at the bottom of a staircase or in a doorway, as long as they’re installed correctly and regularly tightened as necessary. Firstly, pressure-fit gates can shift and move around over time. If a child were to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved or gave way, they could potentially fall down the stairs. Which type of stair gate you choose will depend on your home and your needs. Generally, screw-fit gates are more reliable, so if you’re planning to have a stair gate in place for a relatively long time, and you’re able to drill into your walls or bannister, then a screw-fit gate will be the best choice. You’ll be left with a few small holes to fill when you eventually remove the gate, but nothing that a bit of filler can’t fix.Stair gates can be used at the top of the stairs (to prevent your baby from falling down) and at the bottom (to stop them from climbing up). They can also be used to close off unsafe rooms and to temporarily add additional barriers to your home, whether that’s across a doorway or another narrow opening. When deciding which stair gate is best for you, it helps to work out what’s important to you before you buy. For example: Both, if possible. Stair gates should be used to close off dangerous spaces. It’s best to use screw-fit stair gates at the top of the stairs where possible. Are pressure-fit stair gates safe? While there's no statutory requirement to comply, most commercially sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standards BS EN1930:2011. Wooden baby gates not only create a sturdy and safe barrier for your child, but they also fit comfortably into the décor in most homes. As we have a wide range of colours available, including natural wood and white wood, as well as top brands like Babydan and Safetots stair gates , you’re bound to find a wooden safety gate to suit your home. It’s worth bearing in mind that some dog gates are not appropriate for babies, as they have horizontal slats that your baby might use to climb up and over the gate, or small parts that can fall off and be a choking hazard.