When it comes to taking care of your baby, his or her safety is always primary. While growing up, babies tend to become more curious of their environment, which is why they often enjoy exploring. The time will come when being cooped up in a crib will no longer suit them. You’ll need to place them in a larger area to prevent them from becoming restless.
If you have a baby at home, you wouldn’t want your child crawling around from one room to another while you’re busy doing chores. Not only will this be difficult for you, but it can also be dangerous for your baby. What if your baby falls down the stairs or treads across sharp items? You need to find a suitable mechanism that’ll allow your child to move around freely, yet preventing him or her from going to places where he or she can meet dangerous situations.
To solve this problem, many concerned parents install baby gates in their homes. A baby gate is a small, installable barrier placed in doors and corridors. It’s main function is to stop young children from going to another room. Of the numerous child safety mechanisms available today, baby gates are among the most useful for parents.
Baby gates are very flexible. They can be installed in doorways, stairways and basement entrances. There are even baby gates that can be installed for fireplaces. Some are tall, ideal for toddlers, while some also work for pets and not just babies. Baby gates can be made from wood, steel or Plexiglas and they can expand up to 50 inches or more.
Baby gates used today are classified into two types, depending on how they are installed. The first is the pressure mount baby gate. This type is easier to install since it does not need any special tools or hardware. Pressure mounted baby gates are also portable. These do not leave dents on walls if they are removed.
The second type is the hardware mount baby gate. Compared to pressure mount baby gates, these are sturdier since these are permanently installed in one spot. Hardware mounted gates use special hardware such as bolts and screws to attach the gate to a surface. Unlike mount baby gates, these are not transportable.
There are numerous baby product manufacturers today that sell baby gates. Look around and compare the different types before choosing one that will fit your needs.