How Important are Child Safety Gates?

When you’re expecting your first child, it’s easy to believe that someone will be looking after your baby at all times, that she’ll never be left alone, and that you will be model parents all the time.  It doesn't happen like that.  It doesn't mean you’ll be a bad parent or that your child will be left to fend for herself.  No, of course not.  But expectant parents simply have no concept of how busy a toddler can be – or how tired they’ll be.  At some point, you’re likely to nod off without warning and certainly without wanting to; that’s just part of the incredible challenge of parenting.

Now, consider your home without safety measures one more time before you dismiss the need for baby proofing and security barriers.

Troubling Statistics

Still not convinced?  Then consider that 500,000 children under four years old are injured in the home in the UK – every year.  That’s right; these children are injured in the place that we deem it safest to be.  It’s a little frightening.  And, keep in mind that these are reported accidents, and when an accident is reported, it’s severe enough to warrant attention, not a bruised knee.  Who knows how many unreported accidents there are every day.

35,000 of those reported accidents are children falling down stairs (and remember that’s falling hard enough to cause concern).  Another 30,000 children head to the A&E because they’ve managed to get their hands on poison (usually the pretty bottles kept under the sink).  And, although the most serious incidents happen in the kitchen, the highest number of accidents happen in the lounge or living areas. 

None of these incidents is intentional.  No one expects, or wants, their children to be hurt.  And, by and large, these children don’t have negligent parents either.  These parents just didn’t consider how quickly they would nod off or how fast super toddlers can get into mischief when they turned their back for just a minute.  Please, don’t become part of these statistics.  Please give your children the safety they deserve; invest in safety gates and everything else you need to provide a safe, secure home.

Trouble Areas in Your Home

While your entire home needs child-proofing, there are a few areas in any house that really need to be considered strongly.

Stairwells – Consider yourself lucky if you live in the UK and you don’t have to contend with stairs in your home; most people do.  (Although you may want more space than your one-level flat provides, you may just want to hold off until your children are stair-safe.  Trust us on this one.)

Kitchen – If the most serious accidents happen in this place, you’ll obviously want to take note of that and plan against it.  Remember that kitchens are notoriously filled with small, bright, interestingly shaped objects like knives and drain cleaners.  It’s a no-brainer; this room is unsafe for small children.

Living Rooms – This is the room with the most accidents, and it’s not hard to guess why.  There’s furniture to climb on (and fall off of); there’s an entertainment centre with fantastic looking wires in the corner and there’s that tempting bookshelf to climb.  This area says cosy to you, but spells disaster for unattended children.

Bathroom – Most bathrooms have multiple levels of threats, beginning with the toilet.  After that, there are medicines (and usually harmful cosmetic products) and razors; not to mention hot water burns or the danger of anything electrical coming into contact with water.  And remember, it’s more difficult to lock off the bathroom than it is the garage. 

Where Do You need Safety Gates?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions from new parents, and rightfully so.  Properly secure safety gates are not cheap.  They can’t be if they’re meant to do the job.  Understandably, young families are concerned about their budget, especially with a new consumer in the house.  You want to provide enough safety without overspending.  But, no one can say for certainty exactly where you should have safety gates in your home without doing a full assessment of your home in person.

Having said that, there are areas that you should strongly consider candidates for safety gates - even before you bring in the professionals.

Top and Bottom of the Stairs – This is absolutely crucial until long after your child scan safely navigate his way up and down the stairs.  And remember, you need a set at the top – and the bottom – of each stairwell.  The only exception is on a level that your child never accesses.  For example, stairs leading down to the cellar may only need a gate on the ground floor.  But, if you take your child down with you, you’ll still need a gate at the bottom.  Keep in mind that these gates need to be physically attached to the wall.  They cannot use the pressure method, or they will fail when you most need them to work.

Close the Kitchen – If you have an open plan kitchen and lounge area, you’ll need to invest in expandable security gates that can truly cover some ground.  This is one area that children should not have any access to unless they have direct supervision.  And, you will probably want to invest in safety latches and appliance locks even if you have used a safety gate to close off the kitchen. 

In the Lounge – Okay, you’re more likely to want a secured play area in the lounge rather than the hassle of closing it off altogether.  But, you do need to make sure you’ve got a quality product, especially if you plan to move it around or carry it with you from time to time.  Anything less could be as much of a threat as the dangers already present in your home.

Remember the goal is to avoid being a negative statistic.  You want to ensure that your children are safe, secure and happy – even if you nod off while sitting on the couch.  There’s no price you can put on life, so don’t take chances; especially when all you need is a few safety gates.

For more tips and information about safety gates and child safety, please visit www.lindam.com