Plastic mind lock and unload full#
We tested four pressure-fit gates with the full intention of making one of them a recommendation, but in the end, due to our own standards of safety, we simply couldn’t.FAQ: 1.
We also found that: pressure-fit gates loosen over time they’re not all that secure to begin with they require a threshold bar that creates a trip hazard they can’t be used at the top of a set of stairs (and aren’t recommended for the bottom either) and because the hinge and latch are not mounted directly to the wall, the passable width of the doorway is reduced. Through research and testing, we found that none of these arguments is entirely true. The perceived benefits of these gates are that they won’t damage your walls the way screw-mount gates will and that they’re quick and easy to set up and move around your home. These are secured in an opening with rubber pads that unscrew from the gate sides and press against the wall, holding the gate in place.
Plastic mind lock and unload install#
This image, from babyproofing company Baby Safe Homes, shows the gate (with an extension) set up at an angle-there is no other way to install a gate in this location.Īnother style of baby gate, and a popular one, is the pressure-fit gate. Because of how its hinge and lock work, the Stairway Special can be safely installed even if it skews up to 30 degrees. At the top of a set of stairs or in a hallway, though, there is no guarantee that studs or woodwork are going to line up across from one another. If a gate is being installed in a doorway, a 90-degree angle is easy because both wood sides are directly across from each other. (Some, though, supply drywall anchors with their gates, but due to our own experiences with the long-term stability of drywall anchors, particularly those under constant strain, our recommendation is to always mount your gate into wood). Most manufacturers recommend that the gates be screwed directly into wood, whether it’s a door jamb or the studs behind drywall. Our pick has the rare ability to be installed at odd angles, while many competitors can only install at 90-degree angles, perpendicular to the walls. This gate fits openings 27 to 42½ inches and is available in white and black. Usually sold for around $70, the Stairway Special is one of the more expensive models we tested, but we feel the value you get is worth the investment, particularly knowing what’s at stake when you’ve got a 1-year-old standing at the top of a set of stairs. No matter how much we throttled, kicked, and rattled it, the gate didn’t budge, while other gates, with plastic hinges and latches, strained under weight, and even came loose with a few aggressive pulls. It is the only tested gate with a 100 percent metal locking system and, properly installed, the gate had no problems supporting 180 pounds of weight (me, sitting on it) without any flex. Once installed, it has a simple latch that’s easy for adults to undo, but confounding to anyone under 2 years old. This gate also has the rare ability to be installed at an angle, so it can accommodate odd situations where the gate isn’t perfectly perpendicular to the walls. Out of the box, the setup is faster and easier than most competitors, taking less than 20 minutes. Of all the gates we tested, the Cardinal Gates SS-30 Stairway Special offers the best combination of stability, durability, and versatility. We also found that companies that have not undergone JPMA certification tend to be those that don’t specialize in child safety, and in recent years there have been three recalls of non-JPMA approved baby gates (one from Madison Mill and two sold by IKEA). While it’s possible for a non-JPMA–approved gate to be completely safe, we felt that with all of the major manufacturers represented, there was no compelling reason to go outside of the certification for a recommendation. Ryan Schecter of Safe Nest Babyproofing told us, “All of the gates I use must meet or exceed the voluntary standard set by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association.” Like Schecter said, JPMA certification is entirely voluntary, but we found that all of the major manufacturers of baby gates are in compliance.
This organization independently tests child products to confirm that they adhere to the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials, an international organization that develops technical standards for both products and materials. JPMA certification: We only looked at gates certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
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