Pressure-fit gates are very safe for use at the bottom of a staircase or in a doorway, as long as they’re installed correctly and regularly tightened as necessary. We also collated expert opinions and scoured the Mumsnet forums - the biggest online network of parents in the UK - to find the best stair gates UK according to the families who use them every day. You can read more about how we selected and tested the best stair gates below. How we chose which stair gates to test

Pressure-fit stair gates are ideal for use in rented accommodation as installation requires absolutely no drilling. This type of stair gate comprises a U-shaped metal frame, which squeezes against your wall or bannister, holding the gate in place through pressure alone. It often requires a small cup to be applied to your wall with an adhesive, which the bolts of the gate then sit in. This gate is designed for children up to 24 months. However, this guidance should be constantly monitored against your child’s own development, as individual children’s skills do develop at different ages A safety gate can remove just a little bit of your worries when your child starts to crawl around and explore the home. This BabyDan No Trip wall mounted safety gate is mounted with screws in the wall or door frame. It can easily be removed and remounted with the childproof release fitting function.

If the safety barrier is used at the top of the stairs, it should not be positioned below the top level While there's no statutory requirement to comply, most commercially sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standards BS EN1930:2011. Products with the statement "Due to hygiene reasons, this item is non-returnable" on the product card.

Be aware of hazards associated with children using or climbing over the safety barrier. Never climb over the gate. Never allow children to swing on the gate If the safety barrier is used at the bottom of the stairs, it should be positioned at the front of the lowest tread possible Firstly, pressure-fit gates can shift and move around over time. If a child were to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved or gave way, they could potentially fall down the stairs. It’s recommended that you invest in a high-quality stair gate as soon as your baby starts crawling and/or walking, but when it comes to something as important as your child’s safety, how do you know which is the best stair gate to buy? Which type of stair gate you choose will depend on your home and your needs. Generally, screw-fit gates are more reliable, so if you’re planning to have a stair gate in place for a relatively long time, and you’re able to drill into your walls or bannister, then a screw-fit gate will be the best choice. You’ll be left with a few small holes to fill when you eventually remove the gate, but nothing that a bit of filler can’t fix.

How we chose which stair gates to test

Assembly: How easy was the gate to install? Were the instructions clear? Were any additional tools or fixings required? You can stop using a stair gate when you’re confident that your child can go up and down the stairs safely on their own (which includes the middle of the night). This will depend on the individual child, but this usually happens at around two or three years of age. If your child doesn’t pull or push on the gate, which could cause it to shift or break, and doesn’t attempt to climb over it, you can keep it in place until you feel comfortable removing it. What are the different types of stair gate?

However, they are generally not safe for use at the top of a staircase. This is for two main reasons. While her baby-proofing days are now behind her, Lucy used (and reviewed) several stair gates with her two children when they were young, including both metal and retractable designs. We think the BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Satefy Guard gate is the best stair gate available to buy right now. It scored the highest in our product testing and has received many glowing recommendations in the Mumsnet Talk forums. The retractable feature offers a neat option for leaving the gate folded away when not in use and it has a simple opening mechanism. About the author All our wooden safety gates are FSC® certified (FSC-C130052). When you buy wooden safety gates that are FSC-labeled, it means that you contribute to ensuring proper conditions for all parties in the process from forest to safety gate. In other words, you are helping to ensure the consideration for plant and animal life and that no more trees are felled than the forest can handle. At the same time, it is ensured that all the people involved in tree felling, transport, and production of the wood are guaranteed a proper wage and good working conditions. While pressure-fit gates can be used at the bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow openings, they’re not suitable for the top of a staircase, as the bottom bar of the frame can pose a trip hazard.We tested the 14 most popular stair gates on the market, scoring them on six key areas before whittling them down to a final list the nine best stair gates, all of which scored a minimum of 40 points out of a possible 48. Gates at the top of a staircase should always open towards the landing, not out across the staircase Although the BabyDan Guard Me is safe for use anywhere in your home, the best stair gate for use at the top of the stairs is the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, which is also the best screw-fit stair gate we tested. Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way.