This gate is GREAT! Say that three times fast

When our first daughter The Gabster started to crawl we looked high and low for a gate to put at the top of our steep staircase. Keep in mind that the only type of gate that is acceptable for use at the top of the stairs is a gate that is PERMANENTLY ATTACHED to the wall. This means screws!! A gate that is pressure-mounted or spring-loaded could fall over if it is pushed or leaned on. Do not make this mistake – it could result in a trip to the hospital…

Besides steep stairs, we had a construction problem. The half walls at the top of our stairs are hollow - so installation was going to be an “easier said than done” proposition. I thought long and hard on this one, but The Hubby didn’t like my solution. Since we could not find a gate to fit (or that we could install properly) – I proposed buying a new house. Needless to say, I could not convince The Hubby to see it my way on this point. So we kept searching – for a gate – not a house. It seemed that all the gates we brought home went back to the store until this one.

The Kidco Safeway Gate solved all our problems
The best feature of this gate has to be the instructions. The easy to read directions (for mom) who then explained to The Hubby (not the best carpenter in town) exactly what to do. With a little extra wood (a 2x4 to hold the gigantic screws we needed in place), the power screwdriver and we were set to go. We even called customer service when we reached an impasse on what exactly step 7 wanted us to do and they were very helpful.

Two years later The Kidco Safeway Gate is holding up to a preschooler jumping on it and a toddler pulling on it. This gate is strong – and is constructed of heavy tubular steel and painted with a nontoxic white coating that is not too shiny. The gate is about 30 inches high and expands to fit openings from 25 to 43 inches according to the accompanying literature. There is also a 24-inch extension that is sold separately that can make this gate fit an even larger opening. This gate normally swings in one direction when it is opening, although there is an adapter that you can buy to make it swing both ways (just what everyone wants – right?) The Hubby also swears that brute force will work. A downside is that the bars are spaced so a toddler’s foot fits right in. My girls think the gate is a place to wait for mom and dad. They are happy to climb up onto the gate (which they do with ease) while waiting to go down the stairs.

Yet, it is a big relief to know that neither of them will be opening this for a very long time. The locking latch is difficult enough to explain to grownups; I am not worried about the wee ones mastering – yet. Basically you have to push down on the latch with your thumb as you pull open the gate. The down side is that The Kidco Safeway Gate can be difficult for this mom to open and I have a strong thumb. I often have to pull up and then push out. If I am coming up the stairs with a sleeping kid, balancing and opening The Kidco Safeway Gate can be a test of skill. Late at night you really have to think about opening it. Plus, the gate can be a bit noisy to open. Of course, this could all be blamed on the carpenter (but he's cute - so we let it slide).

A big plus is that this hunk of protective steel is attractive. No, if I were setting up a designer showcase home, I would not install this gate. But when your child’s safety is paramount, The Kidco Safeway Gate is the gate to go with and it won’t spoil your home’s aesthetics. House Beautiful won’t be stopping by – but the moms in your playgroup will be impressed.

Another disadvantage is that the piece that latches on the top - a metal and plastic circle that is on the "gate" (moving) part is at eye level for my preschooler. We have to be really careful when she is first one up the stairs that she does not hit herself in the eye. Because our landing is narrow, this is an ongoing concern. I am sure that she will be bopping the baby with this soon enough.

Keep in mind that this metal and plastic circle (latch) is on this gate not only at the top, but also at the bottom. This means there is also the potential to scratch your shin or for a baby who crawls up the stairs to bump into it. JB has once or twice, but with no lasting scars.
If anyone has a suggestion for how to deal with this issue – drop me a note. Other than selling the kids – I am open to suggestions.

Overall - The Kidco Safeway Gate is a great gate!


©vbfc –2001
I write ‘em, you read them -
you rate them, I own ‘em!


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