Baby gates can help protect your child from falling down stairs or entering rooms or spaces that they should not be entering. Safe Kids Canada reports that in Canada, about 40% of the injuries that involved baby gates involved children younger than one year of age.

Do not use older, accordion style gates with V-shaped openings along the top edges and diamond openings on the sides. A baby could get his/her head trapped in these spaces and possibly suffocate.

There are different types of baby gates in all shapes and sizes. Before you purchase a baby gate, identify the area you want to enclose and measure the opening carefully. This will ensure that you select the correct sized gate for your space.

Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Check the mounting hardware frequently to make sure it is not loose.

For more information on baby gates, please visit Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada or Safe Kids Canada.