In retrospect, a multi-level townhouse with a baby was, perhaps, not the best option.  We put off installing gates as long as possible.  We did not know which gates to buy and since we needed 5 of them, we wanted to get the right ones.  For us, the right ones would be easy for us to install and use and hard for Peanut to master.  We tried and rejected a few before we settled on Kidco Safeway Gate Model G20C.

First we tried the hands free gate.  I loved the idea that I would simply step on a pedal and the gate would magically open.  And, it was nice to open the gate with just my foot; but I did not find that this gate was truly hands free.  While the gate opened by stepping (hard) on a pedal, it swung open and stayed there.  It did not automatically close, so you did have to turn around and use your hand to close the gate.  The gate is also very narrow and we needed to install an extension in order for it to fit.  Some of our stairwells were too wide and even with the extension, the gate would not fit.  And, you can only use one extension.  Also, it is a pressure gate and did not seem too sturdy.  The most annoying aspect of this gate is the width of the opening.  The space you have to walk in through the gate is very narrow.  I had a hard time maneuvering through it without hitting the side of the gate even when I was not carrying Peanut.  And, I am a pretty small person.  These gates were soon returned.

Next we tried the Dream Baby Extra Tall gate.  These were rejected right out of the box.  First, the gate is so narrow, we would have to install 2 extensions on either side of the gate to make it fit.  Second, it is not just “extra” tall, it is enormous.  I had wanted a taller gate since Peanut is tall and a climber, but this gate was ridiculously high and, therefore, a huge eyesore.

Our final attempt at finding the perfect gate was the Kidco Safeway Gate G20C.  We installed these at the top and bottom of all stairs.  They are not perfect, but they are the best in my opinion.  The good: They have a very high safety rating.  You push down a small knob on the side as you push the gate open.  Easy for an adult, impossible for a baby.  Even our very wild and enterprising son can not get master them.  He can not open them, get under or over them or knock them over.  They are wide enough to fit all of our stairwells.  They are the right height; tall enough to prevent Peanut from trying to climb over them, but not so high that we feel like we are in jail.  We installed them with the Kidco installation kits which is basically a piece of wood you install the gates to and then attach to the banister so that you do not have to drill into the banister.  The bad: the gates were not that easy to install.  It did take time.What I have learned is that there is no perfect gate, but we like the Kidco Safeway ones the best. 

Our next home will be a ranch.