Baby gates are suitable for many different parts of the home including passageways, doorways, decks, and stairways.  Some are wall-mounted, others pressure mounted, and some are expandable. Some designs have optional extensions to be used across wider widths. But which baby gate is best for stairs?

Baby Gates for Stairs

Cardinal Gates has four baby gates designed for use at the top or bottom of stairs. These are the:

  1. Outdoor Safety Gate – Model SS-30OD
  2. Stairway Special Safety Gate – Model SS-30
  3. Wood Safety Gate for Children – Model WG-35
  4. Wrought Iron Décor Gate – Model WI-30

Stairway Special Baby Gate

While all of the gates listed above are 100 percent fit-for-purpose, the Stairway Special Safety Gate (SS-30) was picked by the New York Times’ Wirecutter as the best kiddie gate – and not only for stairs. After testing 20 baby gates recommended by “childproofing professionals,” Wirecutter’s Doug Mahoney decided that Cardinal Gates’ SS-30 was the best baby gate “for most situations.”

Ideal for use both at the top and bottom of stairs, as well as any other place where a baby safety gate is needed, this gate is 29.5 inches tall and has an adjustable width of between 27 inches and 42.5 inches. Optional extensions are also available. It can be mounted at any angle up to 30 degrees and can be removed easily without unscrewing the stainless steel wall-mounted hardware (just four screws) that is supplied to install the gate. The gates feature lightweight aluminum that is powder-coated in black, white, or brown for ease of maintenance. One of its top features is a unique latch system that baffles toddlers but allows adults to open it with one hand.

The Stairway Special was the only baby gate tested by Wirecutter that was made entirely of metal. This immediately put it on top of the list regarding durability. Mahoney also found that it was one of the easiest and quickest baby gates to install (less than 20 minutes). Mahoney also liked the swing stop that prevents the gate from swinging over a stairway. The fact that it is mounted using hardware (rather than pressure-mounted) was also a decisive factor.

Wood Safety Baby Gate

Like the Stairway Special, the Wood Safety Gate for Children (WG-35) is for use at the top of stairs, but it works equally well at the bottom of stairs or in most indoor spaces. It features the same latch system as the Stairway Special and offers an optional stop bracket that prevents it from swinging open over the stairs.

The Wood Safety Gate is 29 inches high, and although it doesn’t offer extensions, with an adjustable width of between 29.5 and 49.25 inches, it is wider than the Stairway Special.

Outdoor Baby Gate

The Outdoor Safety Gate (SS-30OD) features a combination of stainless steel (for the hardware) and lightweight aluminum (for the frame) and is weatherproof. This means it is suitable for use at the top or bottom of stairs that are inside or outside. Like the other baby gates sold by Cardinal Gates, it is also great for use in other areas of the home.

This 29.5-inch high baby gate is powder coated in white, brown, or black, and it is suitable for openings that range from 27 inches to 42.5 inches. Extensions measuring 10.5 inches and 21.75 inches add to the versatility of the design.

Wrought Iron Decor Baby Gate

Stylish yet safe, the Wrought Iron Décor Safety Gate (WI-30) is ideal for stairs but may be used anywhere else in the home – as long as it’s indoors. The WI-30 is available powder coated in black or bronze, and like the Stairway Special can mount at any angle up to 30 degrees. This is particularly useful when installing on drywall where a stud is not right next to the stairs.

Manufactured from steel, it also features Cardinal Gate’s unique toddler-baffling latch system and has the option of a stop bracket to prevent the gate swinging over the stairs.

This baby gate is also 29.5 inches high, and it is adjustable from 27 inches to 42.5 inches. A 10.5-inch extension is available to accommodate openings from 42.25 to 53 inches.

Cardinal Gates has several other baby safety gates as well as gates that are designed to keep pets inside or outside.

If you are in the market for a baby gate for stairs, you won’t go wrong with a safety gate from Cardinal Gates.

Baby gates and pet gates have a lot in common. Both of these gates are usually intended to keep little ones, or pets, either inside or outside of an area.

So why should it matter? After all, a safety gate is a safety gate, or is it?

While some safety gates are suitable for both pets and babies, there are baby gates that might not be big, strong, or high enough to contain large breed dogs, and there are pet gates that are not always sufficiently secure for children.

Factors to consider include weight, durability, and height, as well as whether they are freestanding, screwed into the wall, or pressure mounted.

Suitable Materials and Designs for Baby and Pet Gates

Both pet and baby gates are made from a variety of materials, primarily metal and wood, and both may be equally acceptable for either use. While durability may be affected, the design is more important than the material. Also, manufacturers will generally specify the primary use of all their safety gates, for instance, whether it has been designed for use above or below stairs, for indoor or outdoor use, and whether it is a baby or pet gate.

Generally, freestanding pet gates are great for puppies and little dogs, but they aren’t suitable for babies unless there is constant supervision. Pressure mounted gates aren’t recommended for stairs because they can be pushed out of place by children and animals.

In most instances, hardware mounted gates may be suitable for pet or baby safety and protection. This is because they are virtually impossible to push out of position and cannot be climbed over, providing they are high enough.

Baby Gates and Pet Gates from Cardinal Gates

Cardinal Gates has a range of baby gates including those that are hardware-mounted, pressure-mounted, explicitly manufactured for stairs and for outdoor use, as well as expandable baby gates. The selection includes:

  • Aluminum gates that are powder-coated to provide a long-lasting surface that is easy to clean. Some, like the MG-15, are suitable for pets and babies. The special SS-30 stairway gate baffles toddlers and is an excellent choice for pets.
  • Steel gates that also have a powder-coated finish. The MG-25 is also suitable for both pet and baby safety. The SS-30OD is suitable for pets and babies and is ideal for use at the top of stairs and for use outdoors. The expandable EX100 offers various configurations (C, U, or zigzag) that work equally well for containing babies and pets and keeping them safe indoors.
  • Extra-tall pressure gates that are intended for installation to prevent babies from getting into certain areas. These are available with extensions that can span up to 54.5 inches in width. The XTPPG pressure gate is a pet product that features an auto-close and auto-lock mechanism (see below).
  • Wooden gates for any indoor area including at the top or bottom of stairs. The WG-35 model is suitable for both pet and child safety. The freestanding 4PG model, available in oak, walnut, or a white-painted finish, is only suitable for animals, as is the SG-1, a step-over gate designed for small breeds and puppies.
  • Decorative wrought iron gates that have the same potential use as the WG-35 and may also be used for pet and baby safety. The WI-30 is a popular model. The step-over WISG is a freestanding gate designed for puppies and small breeds that is suitable for kiddie use.
  • Gates and panels made from a combination of materials. For instance, the Perfect Fit Pet Gate (PFPG) made from painted wood and steel. Only intended for pets, it features a convenient puppy door.
  • A PVC portable pet pen (model PPP) that is both lightweight and weatherproof. It is not suitable for use as a kiddie playpen.

Some gates feature the patented Cardinal Gates’ Auto-Lock Gate feature that allows adults to walk through the gate by merely pulling and twisting the gate to close and lock it. This feature is a boon for baby gates.

Whether you are looking for a gate to keep your pets or children safe, Cardinal Gates has a choice of attractive models that are both durable and easy to install. Contact us today to discuss your needs, or order online.

If you want to be sure your toddlers and crawling babies are safe, the answer to the question, Are baby gates essential, is a resounding “yes.” Even if you can be with them and watch them for every minute of their waking hours, it’s still an excellent idea. Just imagine what might happen if you took your eye of your child for half a second and she fell down the stairs or got into the kitchen or bathroom where there are typically lots of hazards!

How Baby Gates Protect Our Little Ones

Have you ever heard people say that most accidents happen in the home? While the bathroom and kitchen are known to be hazardous, there are a host of other dangers that face babies and toddlers in different rooms. For example:

In the living room, tables, TV sets, bookcases, and even loose wires and cords can be a risk. Stuff falls over or can be pulled over, and cords get tangled.

The home office has similar hazards to living rooms, as well as small items like paper clips and erasers that children think are cool to chew. Plastic bags and even paper is also a potential hazard.

The most sensible solution is not to let them get inside the office area!

Stairs are a significant problem and a hazard for both old and very young people. A baby gate is the only solution, and preferably gates at both the top and bottom for optimum safety because if a baby can climb stairs, he can also fall.

In bedrooms and bathrooms, there are often dangers in the form of medicines and personal cleansing items. While you can store these out of reach, it is often better to take steps to prevent kids from getting any form of access.

The kitchen is a hazard all on its own. It has heat and sharp objects and all sorts of other items that can be a real danger. If you eat in the kitchen, make sure you have a safe place for your baby – like a high chair she can’t climb out.

Types of Baby Gates

There are various types of baby gates including those designed for use at the top of stairs. Many must be mounted on the wall on either side of the opening, while others are pressure mounted so that no screws are required. Some designs fit at any angle.

Baby gates also come in a range of sizes, and many may be used with extensions to increase their width. There are also expandable baby gates available.

Cardinal Gates’ manufactures their gates with materials such as wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and wood. Easy-to-clean powder coated finishes are popular.

Other factors you will need to consider when choosing a suitable baby gate for your home include the spacing between vertical bars, the direction in which the gate opens and closes, and the locking or closing mechanism incorporated in the design.

Cardinal Gates has a comprehensive range of baby gates to meet varied needs. Some feature the convenient auto-close and auto-lock functions that ensure complete peace of mind. Contact us before your baby becomes mobile so we can help you assess your needs.

Summer is here, and many of us are gravitating to our decks, patios, and our backyards. Our children and pets are going to want to spend more time outdoors this summer, which means moms, dads, and pet owners are going to need to be extra vigilant concerning patio and deck safety.

Products that will help make your decks and patios safe include safety gates and outdoor safety netting that is designed to be attached vertically to fencing and vertical decking posts, poles, and other upright elements.

The challenge is to identify areas that produce some risk and then to find the best solution that will ensure decks, steps, and patios will be safe at all times.

Baby Gates for Deck Safety

Whether you have steps that lead from a deck to your backyard or a low-level deck that provides access to an outdoor area, a weatherproof outdoor baby gate will give you peace of mind that your little one will not get out unless you allow him to. Of course, if the deck does not have a railing, then you will need to position the gate so that access to the deck is restricted. If the area is accessible via stairs, then a barrier designed for a stairway is the best solution.

Deck gates are also used to contain pets either in the house or to prevent them from gaining access to the house. While baby gates are generally suitable as pet safety gates, they may not be high enough to avoid big breed dogs from gaining access. If your pets are likely to jump a barrier, ensure you install one that is extra tall. If you need a baby gate, never opt for a pet gate, unless is it manufactured for dual use.

Outdoor Safety and Deck Netting

In many instances, an outdoor safety gate will be all you need to keep your children and pets safe. However, many balconies and decks have openings that can be accessed by babies and animals. Even if the vertical railings are quite close together, outdoor safety netting will give you that extra peace of mind that your little ones can’t get out and unwelcome animals can’t get it. It will also keep cats and small breed dogs out of harm’s way.

Deck Safety Solutions From Cardinal Gates

Georgia-based Cardinal Gates has excellent outdoor safety solutions that will ensure your kids and pets stay safe throughout the spring and summer months. These include:

  • Outdoor safety netting that is UV-protected and manufactured to keep pets and children safe from deck and balcony openings. It is three-foot tall and available in a range of roll sizes.
  • Heavy-duty outdoor deck netting that is seven times thicker than standard nets, and also three foot tall. UV-rated, it carries a three-year guarantee.
    Outdoor clear deck shield that is made from solid, flexible plastic and provides an excellent alternative to netting.
  • Baby and pet gates are suitable for decks and the top and bottom of outdoor (and indoor) stairs.

If you would like to know more about the options we offer, please contact us as soon as possible. Our mission is to keep you, your children, and your pets safe 24:7, every day of the year.

When your baby starts to become mobile, whether crawling or walking, you need to ensure that your home is as baby proof as possible. In a nutshell, all this means is that you need to make sure your child can’t get into trouble, generally between the ages of six months and two years. And baby gates are a great solution!

Baby gates are manufactured to keep babies, toddlers, and even slightly older children safe. Installed to prevent them gaining access to stairs or to openings that allow access to decks, swimming pools and ponds, even just the backyard, they are designed to be a life saver!

Responsible mothers and fathers do all they can to ensure their little ones don’t crawl or toddle out of sight, but it can take a split second for something to go wrong. Installing baby gates and ensuring they don’t get access to areas where they can fall (like steps or decks) or reach items that might be dangerous (from medicine cupboards for instance) gives peace of mind.

But how do you know when it is safe to take down baby gates?

Reasons to Remove Baby Safety Gates

A very vague rule of thumb is that kids up to the age of two years need extra protection. Another rule of thumb is that once the child’s chin is at the same level as the top of the gate the gate should be removed.

But the reality is that not all children are the same. They develop at different rates mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. So the issue is, if your child can climb over the baby gate, or has worked out a way to open it, it will undoubtedly be better to remove it. If you don’t, you will be living with a false reassurance that your baby gates are keeping him or her safe.

In essence, if a baby safety gate isn’t invincible to the person it is there to protect you might as well remove it. In reality, if a child is able to push a baby gate over, or climb over the top of it, it could become more of a hazard than a help.

What Happens After You Have Removed Baby Gates?

Just as nothing is a substitute for adult supervision (not even the best baby gates in the world) when you remove them you need to be 100 percent proactive. Make sure your little ones can climb up and down stairs safely, and teach them the dangers of heights.

That doesn’t mean you need to discard your baby gates. If you have invested in a good-quality product you can keep it and use it when the next child comes along. Alternatively, you might consider selling it, or possibly using it during family social occasions when you need to prevent access to certain areas for other youngsters. Baby gates can often also be used to contain pets and stop them either harming themselves or going places in your home where they might do damage.

Cardinal Gates Baby Gates

Cardinal Gates has a range of baby gates that will keep your baby safe at its most vulnerable time in life. Contact us to discuss your needs.

 

If you are in the market for a baby safety gate, how do you know which baby gate is the best?

Obviously, it needs to be well made, solid, and high enough to prevent a child from climbing over it. Like swimming pool fencing, baby safety gates should never have horizontal rails that a child can use like a ladder, and the vertical elements need to be spaced so that nobody can squeeze through them.

Additionally, when choosing the best baby gates, you need to consider ease of installation, durability, and visual appeal. If you’re going to use a baby gate you want it to look attractive as well as be safe.

While you might think that all baby gates look the same, and therefore are the same, there are features that make some baby gates considerably safer than others.

Ultimately, make sure the gate has been designed for the safety of your child, and that it has been tested according to specifications.

Features That Indicate Which Baby Gate is the Safest

Materials Used to Make Baby Gates

The strongest, most durable baby gates are manufactured from metal, and they don’t incorporate any plastic parts. Those that are powder coated require minimal cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, some very attractive baby gates are made from solid wood.

While steel is commonly used for the best baby gates, aluminum is a superior material that is low in maintenance, light in weight, and won’t rust. Sometimes aluminum is combined with stainless steel, particularly if the gate is intended for use outside. Wrought iron is another option.

When considering which metal baby gate is best, look at gates manufactured from any of these metals.

Locking Mechanisms for Baby Gates

When choosing the best baby gates, ensure you buy a product that will lock automatically. You want to be able to pull and twist the latch to open it, and it should simply swing shut. If you have to rely on manual closing and locking you haven’t chosen the safest baby gate product.

Installation of Baby Gates

While installation methods vary for different types of baby gates, it is sensible to choose a gate that is easy to install without having to drill numerous holes for screws or bolts.

So, when deciding which baby gate is best, make sure it is easy to assemble and install. Some of the best may be mounted at any angle, others may be mounted at angles of up to 30 degrees, which is useful if you are installing a gate on some decks.

Pressure-mounted gates are particularly easy to install, but they should not be used at the top of stairs just in case they are pushed out of place. Gates that are hardware-mounted (using screws and bolts) are stronger and more secure, but if you require hardware to install the gate, make sure this is included with the product.

Ideal Height of Safe Baby Gates

Generally, baby gates are used in homes until children are about two years old. Bearing this rule of thumb in mind, the gate should be sufficiently high to prevent a child this age from pulling over the gate or climbing it.

A good, safe height will be 29 to 29½ inches. However, if you want a taller gate, rather opt for one that is 36 inches (3 feet) high.

Vertical Bar Spacing for Baby Gate Safety

If a child can squeeze through the bars of a baby gate then it isn’t safe! Ideal bar spacing of the vertical elements should be from 2¼ to 2½ inches.

Baby Gates from Cardinal Gates

Cardinal Gates manufactures a range of excellent baby gates that incorporate all the features mentioned above.

The company designs its own products and owns several patents on gates as well as their proven safety pad. Their automatic locking gates feature a patented auto-lock latch that enables adults to pass through in either direction.

All baby gates are tested rigorously for certification by the Juvenile Protection Manufacturers Association.

Additionally, all products are inspected carefully, by hand, prior to shipping to ensure they are in prime condition when they reach the customer.

So, if you are trying to work out which baby gate is best, have a look at the range Cardinal Gates has to offer.

 

The weather’s warming up and we’re all beginning to migrate outside, at least for a while at weekends and when we’re not at work. This doesn’t mean just you and I, but also our children and our pets, particularly our dogs. As adults, we have an added responsibility to ensure that babies, toddlers, young children, and our furry friends are safe at all times. The best way to meet this challenge is to install safety gates and/or other outdoor safety equipment to prevent them getting into harm’s way.

What outdoor safety equipment do you have in place?

Danger Areas for Children and Pets

There is no debate that more accidents happen in the home than anywhere else. In addition to hot water burns and electrical injuries, people trip and fall, and stumble down steps and stairs, both indoors and outdoors. Young children open drawers, cabinets, and medicine cupboards and try tasting things that turn out to be potentially lethal. If children or pets manage to get out of the yard they are even more vulnerable, particularly if you live on a busy road. And there’s no doubt that after winter, when children and pets are more likely to want to play outdoors, there will be risks and hazards they may have forgotten exist outside of the coziness of indoor living, even within a fenced property.

The answer for you is to be aware of all potential dangers and to take steps to reduce the risks involved. When it comes to areas outside the house, including swimming pools and ponds, the best approach is to minimize access to any and all of these areas.

How to Make Sure That Outdoor Areas Are Safe for Children and Pets

First, you will need to assess your outdoor areas to see where potential dangers lurk. The most obvious will be water, steps, open decks, and raised patios. If you don’t have some form of fencing or railings, consider installing these to make vulnerable areas inaccessible. If you have railings around your deck or fencing around your patio, you can increase safety for children and pets by installing deck netting or a plastic shield to prevent them pushing through vertical posts and poles. This will provide peace of mind, particularly on raised decks.

Outdoor safety gates are the answer for protecting the top of stairways and steps to contain dogs and prevent babies and young children from gaining access and possibly tumbling down. Some outdoor safety gates may be used successfully at the bottom of stairs. Of course, safety gates may also be used inside to prevent children and/or pets from getting to specific areas including kitchens and bathrooms where many hazards are real!

Outdoor Safety Products from Cardinal Gates

While there is clearly no substitute for adult supervision, Cardinal Gates has a number of products that will help make outdoor areas safer than they are.

US-manufactured outdoor safety netting as well as heavy-duty outdoor deck netting that fits on decking and could be used to secure more “open” designs of perimeter or deck/patio fencing. Cardinal Gates’ UV-protected Deck Shield outdoor safety netting is 36-inches high and the netting grid size is half an inch square.  It is available in several lengths, 15-foot, 30-foot, and 50-foot, to meet varied needs.

Heavy-duty outdoor netting is seven times thicker than the standard type (mentioned above). Also made in the US and UV-protected, it is 36-inches tall and 15-foot long, and the mesh size is much smaller (0.1-inch square).

If you don’t favor mesh, the company also offers a US-made solid, flexible plastic deck shield that is guaranteed not to crack for at least three years. BPA-free and rated recycle #1, it comes in rolls that are the same height and length as the heavy-duty netting.

The company also manufactures various types of pole padding and has a product called the Patio Door Guardian that may be used to make sliding doors childproof. Also effective as a security device, it enables you to lock the door leaving a 3-inch gap for ventilation.

Cardinal Gates has several outdoor safety gates for pets and/or children or babies. Examples include a 29.5-inch high safety gate made of powder-coated aluminum featuring a safety latch that toddlers will not be able to open, as well as a 20-inch high wrought iron step-over gate to contain pets.

Not all outdoor gates are suitable for child safety, and not all are suitable for use outdoors. For more information, explore our website or call us so we can help you assess your needs.

Pets are more than just companions and guardians. They’re members of your family. Owning a pet is a great joy; however, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Cats and dogs don’t always know what’s best for them, so it’s up to their humans to protect these cherished pets from harm. That’s where pet gates come in.

If there are areas that need to be off-limits to your pet, a pet gate is essential for your home. Pet gates keep Fluffy and Fido from areas where they could be injured or ingest something dangerous. The good news is that it’s easy to protect a pet with the correct gate and proper installation. Learn more about the three things to look for in pet gates, so everyone stays healthy and happy.

  • Consider the Space

You may only need to gate off an average-sized room with a regular door. If that’s the case, a folding door gate may be all you need. However, if you need to block half a room or have double doors, you’ll likely need a pet gate with multiple panels.

Multi-panel pet gates will allow you to adjust the pet gate to fit the area. You can either place it in a straight line for maximum coverage, or a zigzag arrangement for small or irregularly-shaped spaces. Gates are available in a variety of materials and colors to match any decor.

  • Stairs Need Special Protection

Never use a freestanding pet gate for the top of the stairs. If your Golden Retriever takes a run, the gate will give and your pet may take a tumble and get hurt. Instead, choose an easy to install, wall-mounted gate for securing the stairs.

Not only will a hardware-mounted gate stay secure, but a walkthrough style with a locking mechanism allows you to move easily from one area to the other. You can also choose an auto-lock gate that swings shut behind you. Extensions ensure that it can fit most all sizes of stairways.

  • Outdoor Gates Must Be Secure

Outdoors can be an even bigger threat to a pet than inside the home. Traffic, strangers and getting lost can cause stress both for you and your pet. Keep your dog safely on the porch or deck with a weatherproof outdoor pet gate.

Make sure the gate has a secure latch so your pet can’t push it open if a bird or wandering cat gets his attention. Freestanding gates should not be used outdoors, particularly with dogs, because an over excited pup could easy push it over. Made with lightweight aluminum and stainless steel, an outdoor gate lets you leave your home knowing that your pet will stay safe.

Start Protecting Your Pets with Cardinal Gates’ Pet Gates

Now that you know three things to look for in pet gates, you’re ready for the next step. Purchasing the best gate for your home is easy and fast when you shop with Cardinal Gates.

At Cardinal Gates, we offer a great selection of top-quality pet gates that will help keep your beloved animal companions safe and sound. Contact us today to get more information on the gate that’s a perfect fit for your home.

Baby gates and pet gates need to be designed so that they are safe, secure, and high enough to prevent little people and animals from climbing or pulling themselves over them.

But the question is, how high should they be?

Unless you have your baby gates and pet gates specially made, you will need to choose a gate with a suitable height from what is commercially available. Your choice will be based primarily on the age of your child, or the size – and breed – of your dog.

Another issue to consider is how long you want to be able to use your baby gates and/or pet gates. Even so, you will be well advised to choose gates that you can use as your pets and babies grow. Maybe you don’t even have a baby yet, but you do have a pet, and you want to plan for the future. If so, it’s important to choose a gate that is suitable for humans and animals. While most baby gates can double as pet gates, not all pet gates are suitable for use as child safety gates.

Every circumstance is different, and only you can assess your personal needs accurately.

Optimum Height for Baby Gates and Pet Gates

Ultimately, the vital factor in terms of height is that the gate should be sufficiently high to prevent babies and/or pets from climbing or jumping over it.

Common heights of commercially produced baby gates range from 29 or 29½ inches to 36 inches, regarded as “extra tall”. Pet gates come in similar heights, although some may be as low as 20 inches. There are also top extensions available for some pet gate designs that enable the owner to increase the height of the gate by 16 inches, or with two of these, by 32 inches.

Optimum Bar Spacing for Baby Gates and Pet Gates

Of course, height isn’t the only factor to consider. The spacing of vertical bars in any gate is also important. For instance, a baby should not be able to get its head through the bars of a baby gate. And if you have a very small-breed dog or puppies, you need them to be sufficiently close to prevent the animals from squeezing through the bars.

Typically, bar spacing is 2¼ to 2½ inches wide, but some pet panel gates have much narrower 1 to 1¾ spaces between the bars.

Other Considerations When Buying Baby Gates and Pet Gates

Pet and baby gates are made from a number of different types of material, including wood, and metal that might be wrought iron, steel, and lighter-weight aluminum, all of which are often powder coated for ease of maintenance, to prevent rusting, and for safety reasons. Some are made specifically for outdoor use, and there are designs specifically intended for use at the top or bottom of stairs.

Many designs are adjustable in width, and some have special extension panels that can be used to make them even wider.

Various methods of installation are used for safety gates, depending on design. These include pressure-mounted, wall-mounted, expandable, and freestanding gates.

Baby Gates and Pet Gates From Cardinal Gates

Cardinal Gates manufactures a wide range of safety gate products aimed at both babies, children, and pets. Features include autolock gate latches on some products and stairway special latches on others.

Contact Cardinal Gates for more information, for pricing, or to order your baby or pet gate today visit cardinalgates.com/shop!

You may be shocked to discover just how many accidents happen in the home. So if you’re a parent, you need to be concerned about child safety.

Research indicates that more than 40 percent of accidents happen in the home. Some leisure activities can also be dangerous, so it probably won’t be a surprise to learn that about 25 percent of injuries are due to incidents during leisure activities. Only about 15 percent of accidents happen on the road, which might be a revelation. The rest happen at work or in educational settings, often during some sort of sports activity.

Of course, the dangers for babies and young children are not necessarily the same as those for adults. But, in the home, it is easier to take steps to prevent babies and children from getting hurt using baby gates and other forms of baby proofing.

Assess the Dangers to Ensure Child Safety

While people of all ages are at risk in terms of dangers in the home, there is no doubt that babies and young children are hugely vulnerable, as are old, frail, and sick people of all ages.

The most common causes of injuries (including fatalities) are the same for all, and they include falls, poisoning, suffocation, drowning, accidents due to inadequate railings or banisters, the unsafe storage of medicines, and failure to secure firearms safely.

The fact is that if babies, toddlers, and even older children, get their hands on toxic substances, medication (including medicines sold over-the-counter), guns, knives, or other dangerous items, they can get hurt, or inadvertently cause injury to others. If they have access to water they can drown. And this doesn’t only mean in swimming pools and hot tubs; a baby can drown in a bucket half filled with water! Similarly, if they access to steps and stairs they can fall and get seriously hurt. So, it isn’t rocket science to realize that child safety requires a conscious effort to prevent little ones getting into danger.

It also stands to reason that good quality, well designed baby gates are an excellent means to ensuring child safety in the home. In fact, safety gates for babies and children are undoubtedly an essential element of baby proofing a home.

Baby Gates for Child Safety at Home

You might think your home is safe because there are no stairs, no swimming pool, and nothing obvious that will cause your little one to come into harm’s way. But the statistics show that all homes have dangers, that’s why accidents in the home are so common.

While there is no contest that babies and young children need constant supervision, baby gates may be mounted at the top or bottom of stairs, and where a child might gain access to other precarious places or might simply have access to an area that might spell danger.

When choosing baby gates that will provide adequate baby proofing it is essential that they are designed for purpose.

Cardinal Gates manufactures a range of child safety gates that have been designed for quick, easy installation. They include pressure mounted and wall mounted types and designs made specifically for the top of stairs. Some are expandable.

If you are concerned about child safety in your home or need advice about baby gates, don’t hesitate to contact Georgia-based Cardinal Gates for more information and advice.