Product Review: Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide

Even though we try to keep our baby far away from the stairway, we wanted to put a baby gate at the top of the stairs just in case she got ahead of us. She's fast! The Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide turned out to be a great solution for us, although it did take some creative installation.

When installing a baby gate at the top of the stairs, it is always recommended to use hardware mounted gates and not pressure mounted gates. Although pressure mounted gates are good from room to room, you need something safer to ensure your baby won't push with all her might and end up falling down the stairs. The Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide can only be mounted with hardware, which is what we needed. It can be mounted to swing both ways or a stopper can be used so it only swings one way. For top of stairs, you want it to only swing away from the stairs so the child doesn't happen to push hard enough to fall down the stairs.

We did have a little trouble installing due to the fact that we have metal door frames on top of the stairs, so we had to install directly into the wall. In addition, we have a hidden sliding door in one wall, so we couldn't use extra long screws. Even with these challenges, my dad and husband managed to get it installed so we are confident it is secure. My husband leaned and pushed on it as hard as he could, and it didn't wiggle or wobble at all. If it can handle a 200 lb man, it can handle a 17 lb baby!

The Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide is one of a few baby gates that opens the full length of the gate. This means there is no little piece on either side of the gate that stays put. This is ideal for top of the stairs as we often need to carry things up and down the stairs and wanted a large entrance way. When the gate is open, we can go down the stairs just as before with no lack of space. The gate can be extended anywhere from 33" to 56" so you can use it in even wider areas and still open it up the full length. At 36" high, it was the tallest gate we found in the store and so I don't have to worry about my baby being able to flip over the top of it. It's also mounted a few inches off the ground, so that gives us even more height to work with.

The Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide is a little tricky to open, but I am okay with that because it will keep my baby safe! Ideally you use your thumb to push the latch on top, then lift and pull out the gate with the rest of your hand. I found I often need 2 hands to open this gate. However we do not go downstairs that often, so it's not a big concern. The gate does not automatically swing shut, so we have to be conscious to close it once we get through, otherwise it would stay wide open waiting for a curious baby to come around.

Overall I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Munchkin Protect Extending Metal Gate Tall & Wide baby gate. I feel my baby and visiting relatives will never figure it out. It may be a little tricky to install, and a little tricky to open, but if you are using it in a location like the top of the stairs - you want it to be tough and strong. My nephew can already open other styles of baby gates, but this one is slightly difficult even for an adult, so will be difficult for him too.