Health Tip: Use a Child-Safety Gate

(HealthDay News) - Safety gates are an important way to prevent injuries among children in the home.

Here are guidelines for how to choose a safety gate, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

• Choose a gate that is securely mounted to the door frame with hardware, and that doesn''t leave any openings to pinch little fingers.
• Be careful with gates that use pressure or tension to keep them secured in a doorway. Never place this type of gate in front of stairs, as it may be more easily removed by children.
• Make sure that the bar on pressure gates is on the side away from the child''s access.
• Leave no more than 2 inches at the bottom of the gate to prevent a child from trying to slide underneath.
• Choose a gate that is difficult to climb on or over.
• Only use gates that are safety approved and certified, and have no sharp or dangerous parts that could hurt a child.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Jan. 14, 2008

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