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Having a baby is one of the crowning moments of most marriages. The idea of having a baby feels good and in all of the excitement, most people forget how much work taking care of a baby can be. It is one of the most nerve wracking things a parent can ever do. Babies and some toddlers still haven’t gotten the ability to voice their needs, and displeasures and so figuring out how to give them exactly what they want is hard. But even as tough as it is to have to guess at the reason your baby is wailing at 3am in the morning after he has been fed and his diaper changed, taking care of a toddler is even more difficult. At that toddler stage, they begin to crawl and walk, exploring their surroundings and trying to know what everything is all about. This means that the parent has to constantly be in pursuit, following them around to make sure that in their curiosity, they don’t hurt themselves. In their quest to feed their curiosity over the strange things found in their environment, toddlers usually run into a lot of trouble and if a mother is not careful, her child could really get hurt and even killed depending on what he got himself into.
As a busy mother, following them around the house all day is definitely out of the option as you obviously have a lot of things to do around the house. This dilemma used to be a cause for too much thinking for mothers until the baby gate came into being.
What is a Baby Gate?
If you want to look at the meaning from a literal point of view, it simply means a gate for a baby. But the baby gate is a little more complex than that. Apart from the baby gate being the only thing that gives mothers the assurance they need to leave their babies playing while they do other things that they have to do, the baby gate keeps the children safe.
The baby gate is simply a barricade used to keep a child in a toddler safe environment for them to play while the mother carries out her other duties. It can also be used to keep them out of certain places where they would only end up hurting themselves.
What Does the Baby Gate Do?
I’m summary, it essentially keeps your young child safe and away from potentially harmful situations,and objects while also protecting your valuables from their curiosity and inevitable destruction.
What are the functions of a baby gate?
The baby gate has a lot of functions like I previously hinted at. They do a lot to keep a toddler occupied safely while his minder can carry out their own duties without overly worrying about the safety of the child. But more specifically, the baby gate serves the following uses:
- Keeps the child restricted to a safe environment
- Helps to keep out young children from potentially harmful places in the house such as staircases and the pool.
- Prevents the child from wandering out of the house when the doors are open.
- Keeps a child away from destroying some valuable things in the house like special vases and other glass objects by using the gate to limit the child’s access to those things.
- To keep the children out of the reach of harmful chemicals such as bleach and potentially harmful things such as a knife and keep them safe.
Types of Baby Gates
There are two types of baby gates. One is the pressure baby gate and the other one is the hardware gate. The pressure baby gate is a good type of baby gate but can easily be overridden by your kids because they open when pressure is mounted on them while the hardware gates have to be hinged and they can’t be easily escaped because they don’t open when pressure is mounted on them.
What to consider when buying a retractable baby gate for your children.
There are a million and one different baby gates retractable or not which are on the market. Picking the best one out for your own children can be a very tough decision especially since mixed with the good ones, are also the terrible ones that would frankly be a waste of money. Things that concern the safety of our children need a lot of deliberation. Remember that you have to pick one that would would work specifically for your own children. Worry not, with the following components to look out for, I’ll help you narrow your choices drastically and hopefully help you arrive at a satisfactory decision and baby gate. Here are the features that a good retractable baby gate should have.
Strength and durability: You don’t want to get a baby gate that would buckle the first time your child pushes against it because you know they would try to get around it a few times before resolving themselves to the fact that there would be no getting away.
Ability to stretch and adjust: Since there are no fixed size of doors or staircases for every house, you would want to get a baby gate that can easily be adjusted to the size of your own doors and staircases.
Easy to open : It is advisable for you to get a gate that you can easily open in case of any emergency, you won’t need to spend previous few minutes trying to get the gate to open.
Fancy features : Some of the baby gates come with fancy features such as alarms that alert a parent when someone has moved through the gate.
JPMA Approved : The Juvenile product manufacturing association goes through any product made for children and gives it’s approval based on the overall safety of the children it is meant for. You might want to look out for baby gates that have been approved by the JPMA.
The 7 Best Retractable Baby Gates
Now that you know what the baby gate is all about, what it can do for you, the types and the features to look out for, it’s time to show you the 7 Best Retractable Baby gates so you can decide which one of them is for you. Here they are:
The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Banister-to-Banister
The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Banister-to-Banister - Retractable Fabric...
- EASY INSTALL! You will spend more time removing the Stair Barrier from its packaging than you will installing it on your stairs. Easy to setup, easy to use, no drilling and no assembly required. Rolls to the side when not in use. It's a hero when needed and in the shadows when not
- EASY INSTALL! You will spend more time removing the Stair Barrier from its packaging than you will installing it on your stairs. Easy to setup, easy to use, no drilling and no assembly required. Rolls to the side when not in use. It's a hero when needed and in the shadows when not
- VERSTAILE USE! Useful as a safety gate, baby and toddler gate, pet (large and small dogs) gate, or both! Internal plastic struts and heavy duty webbing prevent the Stair Barrier from being pulled down or lifted up. Whether you have a curious toddler or a playful puppy, Stair Barrier keeps them safe. With a Stair Barrier installed, they can't get upstairs or hurt themselves trying
- WORKS WITH ANY BANNISTER! Stair Barriers attach to ANY bannister type. Volute, fluted or square? It doesn't matter and you don't need to be a professional carpenter because the Stair Barrier's easy-to-use strap and buckle system attaches to any shape of banister. Stair Barrier also installs on an angle. It couldn't be simpler!
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR - WEATHER RESISTANT! Need to gate your backyard deck or staircase? Our two indoor/outdoor fabric options are weather and mildew resistant and a great for both indoor and outdoor use
- SUSTAINABLE! The Stair Barrier offers several fabric options woven with Repreve fibers, a recycled product that's good for the earth! Each Stair Barrier made with Repreve keeps 34 plastic water bottles out of landfills. To top it all off, Stair Barrier is PROUDLY made in the USA with quality US-sourced materials and quality workmanship
- SAFE AND TESTED! Stair Barriers are designed specifically for the bottom of the stairs and meet the General and Performance Requirements of ASTM F1004, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures
- Regular fit openings from 36" - 42" and Wide fits openings from 43" to 52." It is also lightweight at 6 lbs. and travels easily. We wanted our safety gates to subscribe to the "set it and forget it" mindset. You will be at ease knowing you can trust our product
It is easily removed and portable enough to carry out. It does not come with any parts that can enable your children to go over it or dismantle it. Although made from fabrics, it does not fold over courtesy of the plastic struts incorporated into the design. You can found it at The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate: Banister-to-Banister Fabric Safety Gate – Made in The USA, New 2020.
Because of its specificity to the bottom of the stairs,it is rather limited to only that and may not be very efficient if used in any other part of the house.
Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate
Retract-A-Gate safety gate 52" wide White
- Retract-A-Gate is the original, 100% USA-made retractable safety gate that can be installed at any angle. Whether you decide to block off a hallway, a staircase, a patio, or something else, Retract-A-Gate’s see-through mesh allows you to always know what’s happening on the other side of the gate.
- Retract-A-Gate is the original, 100% USA-made retractable safety gate that can be installed at any angle. Whether you decide to block off a hallway, a staircase, a patio, or something else, Retract-A-Gate’s see-through mesh allows you to always know what’s happening on the other side of the gate.
- Retract-A-Gate is certified for up to 200 pounds of push out force and for top and bottom stair use by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Wherever Retract-A-Gate is installed, it will keep your little ones safe.
- Retract-A-Gate has smooth, one-handed operation and is quiet when opening and closing. The gate extends out to 52” and the durable mesh is 34” tall. The mesh fabric is easily locked in place with Retract-A-Gate’s childproof lock. Retract-A-Gate is composed of environmentally friendly and safe materials—no toxic materials are ever used in the gate or the manufacturing process.
- Retract-A-Gate is certified for both indoor and outdoor use. It has been extensively tested in wet, rainy seasons and hot, dry summers. To top it all off, Retract-A-Gate has undergone exposure testing during a full northern winter with flawless results.
- To install Retract-A-Gate, use the included screws to mount the brackets to your wall or post at 3-4 inches and 30.5 inches from the floor. The brackets require a level surface that is 2.5 inches wide and 1.25 inches tall. Full installation instructions are found in the User’s Guide.
It is made of a strong but transparent fabric which is also scratch resistant. It does a good job of keeping the children from getting through it by coming with a child proof lock. It is also washable and easy to install. It can also be easily relocated. The pack comes with four mounting poles and screws, and washers. It can be found at Retract-A-Gate safety gate.
It comes with a child proof lock to keep then from overriding the gate. It’s disadvantage lies in the fact that it is not easily portable and cannot be used to travel.
Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate
Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate
- Extra-Wide Width: Fits a Broad Range of Openings 24"-60" (71cm - 152cm) 32" (81cm) Tall. a Must-Have for Great Rooms or Open Floor Plans
- Hardware Mount: For Extra Safety, Installs in Minutes. Materials Made With Plastic & Wood
- Extra-Wide Width: Fits a Broad Range of Openings 24"-60" (71cm - 152cm) 32" (81cm) Tall. a Must-Have for Great Rooms or Open Floor Plans
- Hardware Mount: For Extra Safety, Installs in Minutes. Materials Made With Plastic & Wood
- One Hand Latch: is Easy to Operate. the Telescoping Safety Rail Keeps Fingers Safe From Pinching During Use
- Great for Children and Pets: Maintain a Safe Home Environment for Children and Pets
- Convenient for High Traffic Areas Allowing for Quick and Easy Pass Through
- Four point hardware mounting makes installation a cinch
- Telescoping safety rail: prevents pinching. For 6 to 12 Months
- Gate Swings Open: in both directions and can be opened on either side
- Gate freely retracts: allows for easy maneuverability in tight spaces
- Great for pets, too
It is easy to install and operate too. Case in point is its ability to open both ways making it easier for a person with occupied hands to still be able to move through it without needing to free their hands. It also comes with a child proof lock and plastic telescoping on its rails to prevent hurting young children. It can be found at Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate.
Since it is made of wood, it is limited to interior use only as the weather can affect it adversely.
Lascal KiddyGuard Avant Retractable Baby Safety Gate
Lascal KiddyGuard Avant Retractable Baby Safety Gate, White Mesh
- Fully retractable hardware mounted gate completely disappears when not in use and eliminates the tripping hazard that all traditional metal gates present.
- Elegant brushed aluminum designer housing and high quality mesh panel compliments any home décor.
- Fully retractable hardware mounted gate completely disappears when not in use and eliminates the tripping hazard that all traditional metal gates present.
- Elegant brushed aluminum designer housing and high quality mesh panel compliments any home décor.
- Completely quiet to open and close with easy one-handed operation, thanks to a patented delayed locking mechanism with intuitive timer.
- Use at top of stairs, bottom of stairs and inside any other opening up to 48” wide, mesh panel is 32.3" heigh, gate housing is 35.3" heigh.
- Can either be mounted inside an opening or outside of the opening on the wall.
- JPMA Certified and meets both US ASTM standards and very tough European EN standards.
- Baseboard kits and Bannister kits available as accessories for easier installation.
- All parts are non-toxic and can be recycled. Contains no phthalates, lead or polycarbonates.
The Avant retractable Baby safety gate blends in easily with the decor of your home so well that when it is not in use, a stranger would be hard pressed to find it as the mesh easily retracts into one of its frames. This also reduces the risk of getting hurt from tripping over it. This safety gate also comes with an installation kit and manual to help. It can be installed on any part of the house including the staircase banister, floor and wall. All you need is simply an installation kit for the different locations. It can be found at Lascal KiddyGuard Avant Retractable Baby Safety Gate.
It’s main disadvantage is that it is not easy to install and would need different installation kits to install it in different parts of the house.
BabyDan Guard Me Retractable Gate
BabyDan Flex Gate Large 35.4-87.8"-White
- GREAT FOR FIREPLACES & BETWEEN ROOMS: Baby gate and customizable fence designed to ring your fireplace or divide rooms
- FLEXIBLE WALL MOUNTING: Mountable on straight and angled walls
- COMPATIBLE WITH LARGE OPENINGS: Fits openings between 35.4 inches and 87.8 inches wide
- GREAT FOR FIREPLACES & BETWEEN ROOMS: Baby gate and customizable fence designed to ring your fireplace or divide rooms
- FLEXIBLE WALL MOUNTING: Mountable on straight and angled walls
- COMPATIBLE WITH LARGE OPENINGS: Fits openings between 35.4 inches and 87.8 inches wide
- SAFE LOCKING HANDLE: Extra-wide door and double-locking handle for extra safety
- COMES WITH WHAT YOU NEED: Includes 1 door, 2 large sections, and a wall mounting kit
It comes to you assembled with 3 spares saving you the stress of doing that extra duty. It is quiet when retracting and does not make itself known. It is a good product to use especially with its certification. You can found it at BabyDan Premier Walk Thru Pressure Gate Including 2 Extensions. Fits spaces 28.9″-36.7″ Wide. Height 28.5″ – WHITE.
It is a bit heavy and cannot be carried out for events like a picnic.
Safety 1st Pressure Mount Lift, Lock and Swing Gate
Safety 1st Pressure Mount Lift, Lock and Swing Gate, Fits Spaces between...
- Hardware or pressure mount
- One hand, top release handle. Features a complete-control top handle that lets you lock, release, and adjust as needed. Wall cups must be installed to keep the gate in place
- 28inches – 42inches wide, 26inches high
- Hardware or pressure mount
- One hand, top release handle. Features a complete-control top handle that lets you lock, release, and adjust as needed. Wall cups must be installed to keep the gate in place
- 28inches – 42inches wide, 26inches high
- The minimum opening is 30 inches in hardware mount, swing mode
- Note-opening beneath installed gate is 1 to 2 inch from floor. Only install hardware into stair posts, door frames or wood studs behind wall
- NOTE: This product can be installed as hardware mounted (requires drilling holes)
The gate can be used in two modes, pressure or hardware. Whatever method chosen still ensures the same thing, the safety of your child. The safety first gate is a delight to use with it’s easy operations and installation. It can be purchased at Safety 1st Pressure Mount Lift, Lock and Swing Gate.
The only discernable disadvantage is that the safety gate is not portable.
Safety 1st Easy Install Auto Close Walk Thru Gate
Safety 1st Easy Install Auto Close Walk Thru Gate, Fits Spaces between...
- This sturdy Safety 1st baby gate can be opened with one hand and adjusted to fit doorways and openings ranging from 29 to 38 inches wide.
- Pressure-mounted installation requires no tools, drilling, or hardware and allows for setting up quickly and easily in doors or pass-through areas.DO NOT substitute parts
- This sturdy Safety 1st baby gate can be opened with one hand and adjusted to fit doorways and openings ranging from 29 to 38 inches wide.
- Pressure-mounted installation requires no tools, drilling, or hardware and allows for setting up quickly and easily in doors or pass-through areas.DO NOT substitute parts
- A magnetic Latch causes the baby gate to close and lock automatically, and the SecureTech indicator tells you at a glance that the gate is secure.Do not immerse in water.No Assembly Required
- Easily create a safe space for children in your home or when visiting family and friends by using this 28-inch-high adjustable baby gate in doorways, hallways, staircases, and more.
- Includes one pressure-mounted baby gate.
- JPMA-certified baby gate meets ASTM standards for safety and includes a one-year limited warranty.
- Safety 1st believes parenting should have fewer worries and more joyful moments. As the first and only leader in child safety, Safety 1st is here to give you peace of mind so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying every first you experience with your child.
- Note: Kindly refer installation manual and installation video for reference
The gate cones with a quiet mode feature to be used if the child being restricted has fallen asleep. It comes with magnetic doors that close on its own. It can also be used in practically everyplace in your house. It’s great design makes it a great addition to your home decor. It can be found at Safety 1st Easy Install Auto Close Walk Thru Gate.
The gate is not portable and can only be used indoors.
Conclusion
The safety baby gates discussed in this article are of good quality and have a lot of good reviews on Amazon.com. You can check them out. I hope that this article would help you make a great choice of baby gates that both you and your children would really benefit from. It’s nice to know that these days, there are many options for keeping children safe and us worry free when we think of their safety and welfare.
