Safety Gate Standards

Safety gates are standard equipment for any parent wanting to keep a toddler safe. Yet can we be sure, that the safety gates we buy really are safe? Research carried out during the past 12 months highlights potential hazards associated with some of the best selling baby gates on the market.

The British Standard regulating safety gates, BS EN 1930, covers 'safety barriers used in the home that limit access to the stairs of children under 24 months old'. There is no statutory requirement to comply with the standard, yet most safety gate manufacturers claim their products conform. RoSPA advises that if a gate failed to meet the specific requirements of BS EN 1930 it would not be considered a safe product.

Gates Fail to Meet the Standard

Recent research was commissioned by both RoSPA and 'Which' into the safety of the best selling baby gates on the market - all were marked as complying with BS EN 1930. The RoSPA survey found eleven of the gates failed, on average, 4 clauses of the requirements.

The requirements cover the following areas:

Structural Integrity and Alignment: The gate should fit securely in position and should not be easily dislodged. The gate must be difficult for a child under 24 months to open.

Footholds: There should be no structure, which would give a child a foothold for climbing.

Distance Between Adjacent Members: Vertical slats or rods should be no more than 5.5cm (2 3/8ins)apart.

Holes: There should be no holes or openings that could trap a child's fingers.

Height From Floor: The distance between the foot of the gate and the floor should be no greater than 5cm (or 2 ins)

Snagging: There should be no sharp edges or protrusions which could catch on clothing or cut a child.

Openings: The opening method should require either, 'some force', two consecutive actions or two simultaneous actions of different types

All manufacturers disputed the failings and many of the gates tested, may still be available. It is worth checking all safety aspects of the product before buying or using it. We will keep this site regularly updated with any further developments or news relating to these claims.

What Type of Gate to Use?

When choosing a baby gate you need to consider how it will be used and its location. Think about how often you will need to go through the opening that you are making safe; it may be blocking a rarely used opening, or preventing a child from a potential danger zone such as a kitchen or stairs. Here are some points to bear in mind:

• Gates and barriers must always be mounted between two solid surfaces.
• Gates with a bottom threshold should not be used on stairs because of a tripping hazard
• Pressure mounted gates are sometimes considered unsafe for use on stairs because they can by pushed over with force
• Pressure fit barriers which cannot be opened like a gate (but have to removed and replaced), should not be used in well-used areas. Adults are often tempted to climb them and toddlers may attempt to copy. This type of gate is not safe to use on stairs.

Other Considerations

• Look at safety gates and make an informed decision before your baby becomes mobile.
• Ensure the gate is kept closed whenever not in use
• Never hang or drape anything over the gate
• Follow the instructions when installing; these will include details like the maximum space between floor and gate (5cm). Make sure the gate is secure when pushed or pulled (babies and toddlers take great pleasure in grabbing, swinging, licking and bashing the bars)
• Carry out regular checks on the open/closing mechanisms and the attachments
• Think twice about using second hand gates or barriers, many older style gates are dangerous
• Don't be tempted to climb over a gate, no matter how agile you are!

And Finally...

Encourage your baby to treat stairs with respect and take a look at our article on Choosing a safety gate which gives useful information on the types of stair gate available.

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