Baby Gate Features - What Are Your Options?

There are so many different baby gates available today that it can often be a bit confusing in making a good decision on what to get. You need to know what type of gate you need, what features you want, and so much more. Here's a look at some of the features you may want to consider.

First, you will want to decide on the type of gate. Do you need a pressure mounted baby gate or one that is hardware mounted to the wall? Obviously, the permanently mounted gate is superior in strength.

Once you have made that decision you can begin looking at some optional features.

What type of latch mechanism do you want? You have several options here. The first one being a dual-latch, which can be opened with just one hand.

Another one is the foot pedal latch, which opens from the outside with a simple foot pedal. It works well if you find yourself carrying a full basket of laundry or groceries, etc.

How about installing the gate? Baby gate installation kits are very helpful here. They make hardware mount a breeze. More than that, they also work great when you have odd shaped openings, banisters or stair balusters. These kits only cost a few extra dollars, but eliminate the frustration and time spent on mounting your gate without them.

Another feature to consider is having a lighted baby gate. You will find some child safety gates with built-in lights that come on with the use of a motion sensor. They work well at night.

Finally, look at getting a baby gate that is the right height. The last thing you want is your baby climbing over the gate because it is too low. Any gate should come up at least ¾ of the height of your child.

These are only a few of the various features and areas to concentrate on when looking at baby safety gates.