Possibly the majority of adults with children live in homes with more than one level. Also, many houses that are being built today are of a townhouse design and have three floors. Therefore, it is a necessity to get at least more than one safety gates for babies and young children to prevent a nasty accident if your children unintentionally fall near, or on the stairs. However, being an adult, we still need easy access to the stairs in addition to keeping our children safe.
Our top two safety gates for babies at the time of writing in April 2011 in the UK are the BabyDan Flexi Fit Metal or Wood and Ikea’s Patrull Fast. Presently they are priced between 25 to 33 which is about average for a safety gate. These gates scored over 75% in the Which Magazine’s tests that included; quick and easy installation, convenience as well as safety, with the BabyDan gates just beating the Ikea gate – but only just.
None of the gates were the simplest to put together with the Ikea gate taking the longest, but since they are all screwed to the wall rather than being pressure fitted, you shouldn’t need to put them together that often. Neither of the gates are expandable either, so make certain it fits your opening prior to buying and especially before fitting since you may be unable to send it back.
The BabyDan Flexi child safety gate comes in wood or metal with the wood version being a little wider at 110.9cm wide versus 109cm for the metal gate. Otherwise, they are both basically the same gate.
The BabyDan opens and shuts easily with one hand, but in only one direction (you determine which direction when you put it up). The assembly directions are not all that clear and you need to remember you may be left with some holes in the wall, so make sure to use the provided templates when you drill. Users have also reported that it is quiet to use.
The Ikea Patrull Fast, isn’t exactly that fast! Knowing how to make up the gate is fine, but actually putting it together doesn’t seem to be as straight forward. However, opening it once in place is simple, although some users have said it isn’t as easy to close it because you have to line up the top and bottom catches. The Ikea child safety gate will fit an opening up to 110cm.
Ikea safety gates for babies can only be obtained from their stores although you could possibly order it online. However, with postage it would make it more costly than the BabyDan to have it delivered. BabyDan is stocked in a great number of stores and is easy to find online so on balance, we would recommend the BabyDan as being worth consideration.
For further information on recommended child car seats and other questions of safety visit www.britaxduoplusisofix.com and for our choice of buggies and travel systems see www.bugaboo-prams.net.
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