Do I really need baby gates?

NY-allie · January 2010

All of my co-workers think I'm nuts for not wanting baby gates. Our house has an open floor plan and the only place where they would be useful is on the stairs. Do I really need them or can I just teach DS to stay off of the stairs?

JssBB6 · January 2010

I would def put them on the stairs- IMO that isn't a place I would take a chance. I just heard about a baby who fell down the stairs at the babysitters and is not in intensive care.

tmp-359758500007274 · January 2010

Children are more likely to get hurt on stairs if they have never encountered them before, but they are easier to go up than down. We never had stairs growing up and my brother once ran straight off the stairs at my aunt's split-level house and he broke his arm. We have a gate on the stairs but we sometimes leave it open and show her how to go down.

Amber3535 · January 2010

Ds is obsessed with the stairs and goes to step down them. So yes I think you do need gates for them, if ds fell down the stairs I could never forgive myself.

labooshki · January 2010

Are you going to teach him how to land a backflip off the stairs when he decides to leap off? Get a gate.

grinsandgiggles · January 2010

Yes, I would definitely get one for the stairs. That's not something to mess with. Small price tag for what could happen if you don't.

You can't teach them to stay away from the stairs at such a young age. I have been spending my days pulling him off objects over and over again. I am so thankful we don't have stairs (well, without a door). I really love that I can close all the doors and he can roam free without me worrying about him hurting himself majorly.

NY-allie · January 2010

OK so the next question is what type of gate is best for the stairs? Are some better then others?

Amber3535 · January 2010

labooshki:
Are you going to teach him how to land a backflip off the stairs when he decides to leap off? Get a gate.

Yes

fxz109 · January 2010

Yes. You need a baby gate, unless you live in a house with no stairs or steps of any kind.

TheFannins729 · January 2010

if you have stairs yes you need a gate.

Temp108743750006959 · January 2010

you need a solid one (drilled into the wall) at the top of the stairs and a spring-loaded type one at the bottom. We bought no other gates. We taught DS to stay away from the fireplace, TV, etc. Just make sure TV, furniture are bolted to the wall.

tmp-359758500007274 · January 2010

NY-allie:
OK so the next question is what type of gate is best for the stairs? Are some better then others?

My FIL built one for us that matches our bannister and it is mounted to the wall and has a safety latch on it.

JOEBunny · January 2010

If you have stairs and you plan to leave your child alone, even for 2 minutes to answer the door or use the bathroom, then yes, you need a gate. We don't have one up yet, but I never leave DS alone with DD and the DS doesn't really realize where the stairs are yet. Once he starts walking or going away from me, I will absolutely put one up.

NY-allie · January 2010

Thanks everyone. Now I just have to convince DH that he needs to go shopping and pick a gate up sometime soon.

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