The safety of you, your home, and your family is one of the most important things to us here at Northline Express. This goes double for helping to make your home safe for your children and pets. This is why Northline Express carries a full line of child safety gates, pet gates, and items to help baby-proof your home. It is important for us to be able to provide items to ensure your home hearth area is safe and enjoyable for you and all the members of your family.
There are a ton of Child Safety Gates and Pet Gates available on the market, so it can be overwhelming trying to find the option that's right for you and your project. There are pressure-mounted gates, hardware-mounted gates, freestanding gates, and more. Some of these options need to be screwed in, whereas others offer a quick set up and go option.
Before making any purchase, identify the space you are looking to secure. This could be a staircase, a doorway, a hallway, an area around a fireplace, or a freestanding heating appliance or it can be an open area in the home. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Be sure to measure the width of the area to ensure the gate fits properly. If you're protecting a tricky area like around a fireplace, consider gates designed for unique spaces.
Also, consider the height of the gate, especially if your child or pet is particularly tall or agile. Lastly, think about the mobility of the gate, some gates are easily movable for flexible use, while others can have a more permanent fixation.
When baby proofing or placing a child safety gate, or pet safety gate, keep in mind what the minimum clearance requirements are for your fireplace, wood stove, or heating appliance. You will want to refer to the manual of the heating appliance to make sure that the safety gates are not installed within the clearance area.
Failing to meet these minimum clearance requirements could result in damage to the gate or serious harm to your child or pet.
There are some gates that feature an auto-close option. There are some that are freestanding, whereas others need to be mounted to the wall, doorway, or stairwell. It is always important to consider the installation method and to refer to the install manual of the gate prior to purchasing, to make sure the Child or Pet Safety Gate will work in the manner that you need it to.
KidCo launched the first metal child safety gate into the United States nearly 30 years ago and since then they have set a new standard of safety and style for baby, toddler, and child safety. Their line of safety gates will cover all of your needs for keeping your little ones safe. They have products that are designed with top-of-stairs safety, high-traffic areas, and large spaces in mind. These gates are designed to complement your home decor. They offer a variety of styles in both pressure mount and hardware mount gates. All KidCo gates include added features to ensure safety while promoting ease of use.
Check out our full line of Kid Co Child and Pet Safety Gates.
A baby gate can be installed as early as when your child is about 6 months old, as this is typically before most babies start to crawl, which usually occurs between 7 to 10 months. Installation can be done even earlier if you want to prepare in advance. However, keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, so this timeline might vary.
It's crucial to observe your child's interactions with the safety gate as they grow. Baby gates are generally most effective for children between 6 months and 2 years old. If your child learns to climb over the gate or figures out how to open it, it may be time to remove the gate or consider other safety measures.
Remember, the goal of a baby gate is to provide a safe environment for your child. Thus, installation should be done with both their current and future abilities in mind.
Despite their primary function being to ensure safety, baby gates can pose potential hazards if not used or installed correctly. Some common dangers include:
To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines, regularly inspect the gate for signs of wear and tear, and choose a gate design that is appropriate for the child's age and capabilities.
Opening a safety gate may seem straightforward, but the mechanisms can vary from model to model. There is usually some form of button or latch that needs to be moved, pressed or slid to open the gate. Some gates do require two hands to be able to open.
Here are a few general steps that apply to most gates:
Remember to always read the manufacturer's instructions as the process may differ. Some gates may have a unique or complex locking system for added safety.
The decision to remove the child and pet safety gate really depends on your child or pet's age and development and where the gate is located in the home. When a child can safely navigate downstairs, around hot appliances, and throughout the home are usually some of the things to consider. It is important to not remove the gates too early because keeping your child safe is the most important factor.
By the time many children are two to three years old they can comfortably walk downstairs, but they still may be too small to understand that the heat from the fireplace, freestanding stove, or hearth area is too dangerous for them to get near. So you will want to use your best judgment to decide when is best for your specific child or pet gates to be removed.
Northline Express offers an assortment of Child Safety Gates as well as Pet Safety Gates that can be conveniently shipped directly to your home. They can be found in the Fireplace Accessories section of our website.
No matter where you purchase your Child or Pet Safety Gate, make sure that the size, style, and model are the best options for your specific home project.
Northline Express has created a Resource Center that is full of helpful articles on a variety of fire-related projects and also includes how-to articles to help navigate the installation and product selection processes.