Ababy gate orstair gate is a protectivebarrier designed to preventbabies andtoddlers from accessing areas of a home that may not besafe for them, such asstairways andkitchens.[2] Baby gates are typically constructed of metal, plastic and/or wood, and can be expanded to fit in a range ofdoorway widths. They may be designed for use indoors or out, and may be either hardware or pressure-mounted.
Pressure-mounted gates are typically held in place by friction with the walls on either side, while hardware-mounted gates are screwed into the wall studs and swing fully open like a door. There are hardware-mounted gates that can be customized to fit wide and irregularly shaped openings, as well as mesh retractable gates that roll out of the way.
Safety gates are used to help prevent a child from accessing an area of a house, especially the stairway, or to allow an exterior door to be open for ventilation while restricting movement of a child. Pressure gates and hardware mounted gates are available. Pressure gates can be dislodged by children and should not be used at the top of stairs. In some situations, pressure gates at the top of stairs have caused serious injury when a child has run against it or when a parent has fallen trying to step over the gate. Hardware mounted gates are the most secure option and should be installed securely into wall studs.[3] Ahearth gate is a safety gate used to prevent access to a wood burning stoves and fireplaces.
Baby gates are typically removed once a child is capable of opening or climbing over the gate.[4]
Forsafety gates andpet gates, EN 1930 is a standard for indoor use.[5] In addition, the EN 71 standard sets requirements for the materials it is made of, and these must be free of harmful substances so that it is safe for the child to suck on it.[5] Amongst other things, it is tested to see whether children can get their head, hip or leg through the safety gate or otherwise get stuck or pinched, or whether objects can get stuck in such a way that they pose a choking risk. It is also tested that the gate can withstand children running into it with full force without the gate moving.[5]
Some products have a flexible configuration such that they can be configured either as playpens, safety gates orroom dividers. Forplaypens, theEuropean Norm EN 12227 is a standard that sets requirements for testing whether clothes or fingers can get caught or crushed. In addition there are stability requirements to ensure that the gate will not give in to pressure, and this is tested with heavy weights to see if the gate easily collapses or falls over.[5]