Infant Safety - Baby Gates

It doesn’t matter how closely you plan to keep your eye on your little one, there is always that split second when you are distracted, and it is at that time that your baby seems to be at their most adventurous. There are many different methods of keeping your infant safe from getting into places they shouldn't, but one of the easiest and most cost effective ways is to install a baby gate.

There are a wide range of baby gates that you can choose from in the market, so you should have no problem finding one that suits your needs. Baby gates can be used to keep your child off decks, out of fireplaces, away from stairs, and out of whole rooms (let's face it, your average crawling baby has no need to be in the bathroom by themself).

Many parents concerned with infant safety will rely too heavily on playpens to keep their baby restrained, and while these are no doubt handy at times, it is also important to allow your child to be adventurous as well.

The two main types of baby gates you can get are Hardware Mounted (these screw into the wall), or Pressure Mounted. The pressure mounted gates tend to be more versatile, easier to install, and easier to uninstall (particularly important if you are renting). They come in a variety of materials, including metal, plastic wood and mesh.

Prices can differ greatly, so it is a good idea to shop around. Prices can range from as low as $25 to over $200. If you are looking at buying a second hand gate, make sure that it is sturdy and safe before installing. Some old baby gates are "concertina style", and these have been found to be dangerous, as the babies head can get caught in them. Some of the better known brands out there are Cardinal, Cord-A_way, Dex, Dream Baby, Evenflo,Guardian Angel and Kidco.

If you have a dog in the house, and you need them to access areas that the child cannot, you may want to consider a baby gate with a "doggy door" in it (yes, there is such a beast).

In short, baby gates are essential if you have areas that are off limits for your adventurous baby. You may only need them for a short period of time, but when you're finished with them, you shouldn't have any trouble selling them on to the next parent that comes along, and you will be able to relax in the knowledge that your baby is not going places that they shouldn't.