Problem Finding a Baby Gate for Stairs

Updated on January 01, 2013
C.W. asks from Lutherville Timonium, MD
6 answers

I have been trying to find a baby gate for the stairs in our new house for 6 months now. The problem is that the handrail on the stairs is about 2-3 inches to low, making it impossible to find a gate that I can install. I have about 27 1/2 inches, and that has to include any hardware for installation. Does anyone know of a good hardware mounted gate for the top stairs and pressure mounted or hardware mounted for the bottom? My husband's idea of "just watch her" failed today when I found her playing in the toilet upstairs on his watch.

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Zip ties. We mounted a curved gate to the top of the stairs by fixing one side to the wall and used zip ties (the big ones) to fix it to the railing. You can also get toilet locks, but we found it to be just as effective to keep the door shut and use a baby lock on the handle.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

We used something like this.

http://www.albeebaby.com/evenflo-secure-step-metal-top-of...

we had a friend come in and install it. He had to bolt the receiving end to the metal banister. We just took it down and the metal pieces are still attached to the banister. I am not sure what we will do about the holes in the banister, maybe remove the hardware and replace the bolts?? We had one at the top and one at the bottom. They work great to signal to company you don't want anyone upstairs.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Could you rig a 2 x 4 to the too short handrail securing it to have a place to attach a normal gate you can purchase at the store?

Try googling baby gates to find a plethora of businesses. I did that to find an odd shaped gate for a hard to fit area in my home.

Also, you could put a doorknob cover on the bathroom door so it is harder for her to get into the bathroom. Then install a toilet seat lock sold in the baby department of stores.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

we built our own gates. We put lattice in between wooden framework, & used some very nice/sturdy latches. The gate opens/latches in the middle, & the two sides are mounted into wall studs. In your case, the sides would mount to the corner posts.

An easy way to prevent accidents....& these gates work well with dogs, too!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

We couldn't put a baby gate at the top of our stairs, so we put it at the bottom and taught the baby how to go up and down the stairs without hurting herself. At night, when she was potty training we put one in the hallway on the other side of the bathroom so she wouldn't accidentally fall in the middle of the night. I'm sure it wasn't even necessary, but I was a sleep walker as a kid and didn't want to risk her falling or going out the back door.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I'm not sure if this will work but we love our gates from www.retract-a-gate.com They are expensive but awesome! We bought the stair banister adapter kit too. Their customer service is great so you could always call and talk to them about your situation. Good luck!

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