Gates for stairs - couple of questions

Kelli&Jed

My boys figured out how to break through the gate at the bottom of the steps.  What gate do you recommend?  We like the gate at the top of our stairs but according to reviews (which I did not read before purchasing) it won't be long before they figure out the latch.  So once we find one that works I'm thinking of buying 2.

Also at what age did you stop using gates for your twins?  I asked for gate recommendations on the 12-24 and 24+ toddler boards but they questioned why I would need a gate.  Right now it's a matter of safety because I totally see how one of them could break an arm/leg/head if they fell from the top.  My boys don't get the concept of taking turns so they push past each other which leads to falls if I'm not watching.  The other boards made me feel like I was being overprotective.  Am I crazy?

MuseumMaven

I don't think you are being overprotective at all.  People have no idea the mischief that one twin can get into while you're changing the other's diaper!  We have no less than five gates in our house right now.  My favorite, and the one we use for stairs, is this one:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4350291

 It's 36 inches high, so the latch is very high up for a toddler to reach.  Also, to open the gate you actually have to lift it up and over the bottom catch.  It sounds impossible, but I do it one handed all the time.  But I cannot see a scenario in which a toddler would have the physical coordination and strength to do it.

 If you do get this one, be SURE to install it directly into the studs.  The directions say you can put it into drywall with anchors, but there is no way that would stand up to the kind of use our gates get.

Mrs.Paws

We have the same gate as Museum for our 2.5 yo DD.  And let me tell you, having gates on stairs is not being overprotective IMO.  My DD has the inability to understand why she needs to hold on to railings even after tumbling down the stairs on a number of occasions -- with us right there trying to hold her hand.  Also, I have this fear once she is in a regular bed that she will wander down the stairs in the dark.

As for figuring out the gate, there's no way she can open that Munchin gate.  My parents still need a tutorial on how to get in open every time they visit.   

 

Venus04d

We use the same one as Museum as well.

Dustilou

Thank you for posting this!! I am in need of 2 gates as well! 1 to keep the kids in and 1 to keep the dogs downstairs. From the pp I think I'm heading to BBrUs tomorrow

Kelli&Jed

MuseumMaven:

I don't think you are being overprotective at all.  People have no idea the mischief that one twin can get into while you're changing the other's diaper!  We have no less than five gates in our house right now.  My favorite, and the one we use for stairs, is this one:

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4350291

 It's 36 inches high, so the latch is very high up for a toddler to reach.  Also, to open the gate you actually have to lift it up and over the bottom catch.  It sounds impossible, but I do it one handed all the time.  But I cannot see a scenario in which a toddler would have the physical coordination and strength to do it.

 If you do get this one, be SURE to install it directly into the studs.  The directions say you can put it into drywall with anchors, but there is no way that would stand up to the kind of use our gates get.

Thank you!  I think we are going to try this gate.  And thank you for confirming that people who don't have twins have no idea what it's like! 

juliane2004

I definitely have a gate at my stairs. I still like to be below DD1 when she goes up and down the stairs.

 

raynadawn

No, you're not crazy.  I feel down the stairs at our new house (carpeted stairs are the worst idea in the world) and if I could do, so could our 15 month old.  I bought the Evenflo Top of Stairs Plus gate - which is extra tall and it hard mounts to the walls.  Use them both at the top and bottom of the stairs.  They weren't very much and they work great!  My son is now 2 years 8 months (about), 3 foot 4 inches and 40 pounds and he can stand, shake, pull on those gates and they're not going anywhere.  Plus they expand pretty well if you want to close them different ways (just get extra lock hardware for the opposite wall) and pull straight out of the hinges if you want to get them out of the way.   The latch is a super simple spring loaded pinch style that really requires an adult hand to work and it's small which keeps crafty toddlers from figuring out some four handed escape plan.