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Children are born with the drive to explore and discover, and curious little adventurers have an uncanny ability to put themselves in harm's way. That is why safety gates are an absolute necessity from the moment your infant starts crawling (at around six months) until at least age two.

Parents now have more gating choices than ever-in terms of size, style, and operation. But if you're new to the world of safety gates, it can be a bit overwhelming. Not to worry: you will soon know everything you need to make the right choices for your family!

Your decisions will be based on several factors, including the size and location of the openings you need to barricade, the amount of "traffic" these areas handle, and your personal preferences.

• Standard gates - designed to fit regular doorways. With some exceptions, standard gates generally adjust to fit doorways from about 30"-50" wide.
• Extra-wide gates - designed for the open floor plans found in contemporary homes, such as L-shaped rooms and living room/dining room combos. Many gates consist of a basic unit and extension panels you add as needed.
• Specialty gates - These versatile enclosures are designed to close off unusually shaped spaces, such as fireplaces and custom staircases.
• Shop Smarter Tip: Before you begin shopping, identify all the areas you wish to barricade and measure each one carefully. Be sure the gates you select will fit your measured openings.

Installation Options
When it comes to installation, you have two options: hardware mounted or pressure mounted. Hardware-mounted gates are secured to the walls with plates and screws, while pressure-mounted gates rely on spring mountings that exert pressure against the walls. Each option offers certain benefits and limitations.

Most experts believe that hardware-mounted gates provide the greatest stability, particularly when toddlers push on them. However, they do require some installation and leave holes behind when the mountings are removed. (These, of course, may be spackled and repainted.)

On the other hand, pressure-mounted gates may be installed instantly without tools and will not mar your walls. The limitation: they may not be as sturdy as their hardware-mounted counterparts

We recommend hardware-mounted gates for the top of stairs-or any area where falling is a risk. Pressure-mounted gates are appropriate when barricading rooms on the same level.

Shop Smarter Tip: Before you begin shopping, note if you are dealing with any unusual surfaces, such as uneven walls or iron railings. Most mountings aren't designed for such surfaces. Look for hardware-mounted gates with adaptive fixtures that will attach to irregular surfaces.

Design Options

Gates are made in many materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and mesh. All of them are effective if they meet current safety standards. It comes down to a matter of preference.

In addition, you will find doors that slide open, swing both ways, or swing open in one direction. (These are designed for stair top use. You would never want a gate that swings open over a staircase!) We even offer a retractable mesh gate that virtually disappears into its own narrow housing-an ideal solution for high-traffic areas.

Furthermore, you'll find gates that are hand-operated, foot-operated (convenient when carrying a child), and that swing open by remote control. All are fine choices-the key is to choose one that's easy for you to open but impossible for your child. (How do you know this before you buy? At One Step Ahead, we rigorously test all our gates to make sure they meet this requirement and many others!)

Safety Guidelines
Currently, there are no government standards regulating the design of safety gates, although that may change in the future.

In the meantime, The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) have jointly developed a voluntary industry standard for gates. This addresses factors such as gate height, the spacing between slats, and the strength of the top rails and framing components. To make sure your gates meet these standards, always choose gates bearing the JPMA seal of certification. (You can be sure that all One Step Ahead gates have earned this seal!)

Once your child reaches a certain size, safety gates are no longer effective. It's time to remove your gates once your child reaches a height of 35 inches or weighs more than 30 lbs.

• Avoid gates with slats more than 2 3/8" apart. Little hands and feet can get trapped between wider spaces.
• The base of the gate should offer no toeholds.
• Avoid hinged joints that can pinch fingers.
• Wood surfaces should be smooth and splinter-free.
• The top edge of your gate should be smooth, so it won't hook clothing and jewelry.
• Avoid old-fashioned accordion-style gates with large, diamond-shaped openings. Although these have not been manufactured for years, you may find one offered to you. Decline it-they pose a strangulation risk!
• Carefully measure the width of all doorways and openings before you buy-and make sure the gates you choose will fit your doorways. There's nothing more aggravating than finding a gate isn't going to work only after you've tried to install it!

• Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Check your mounting hardware frequently to make sure it hasn't loosened.
• Don't leave more than an inch or two clearance at the bottom of the gate, or your child may try to squeeze underneath it.
• Keep toys and chairs away from gates: enterprising climbers may use them as step stools.

One Step Ahead offers one of the largest available collections of safety gates-all rigorously tested for quality and performance. To help you find the perfect gates for you, see our Safety Gate Selection Chart.