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Safety Gates

The safety of you, your home, and your family is one of the most important things to us here at Northline Express. This goes double for helping to make your home safe for your children and pets. This is why Northline Express carries a full line of child safety gates, pet gates, and items to help baby-proof your home. It is important for us to be able to provide items to ensure your home hearth area is safe and enjoyable for you and all the members of your family.

The best indoor security gates are designed to keep your baby, infant, toddler, dog, cat and children safe

There are a ton of Child Safety Gates and Pet Gates available on the market, so it can be overwhelming trying to find the option that's right for you and your project. There are pressure-mounted gates, hardware-mounted gates, freestanding gates, and more. Some of these options need to be screwed in, whereas others offer a quick set up and go option.

The first step in choosing a child safety gate or pet safety gate is to determine the area that you want to keep safe. Is it a door, stairway, fireplace area, or an open area near a doorway

Before making any purchase, identify the space you are looking to secure. This could be a staircase, a doorway, a hallway, an area around a fireplace, or a freestanding heating appliance or it can be an open area in the home. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Staircases often require hardware-mounted gates for added stability.
  • Doorways can use either pressure or hardware-mounted gates, depending on the door frame material.
  • Hallways and wide areas might need extra-wide gates or gate extensions.

Be sure to measure the width of the area to ensure the gate fits properly. If you're protecting a tricky area like around a fireplace, consider gates designed for unique spaces.

Also, consider the height of the gate, especially if your child or pet is particularly tall or agile. Lastly, think about the mobility of the gate, some gates are easily movable for flexible use, while others can have a more permanent fixation.

When baby proofing or placing a child safety gate, or pet safety gate, keep in mind what the minimum clearance requirements are for your fireplace, wood stove, or heating appliance. You will want to refer to the manual of the heating appliance to make sure that the safety gates are not installed within the clearance area.

Failing to meet these minimum clearance requirements could result in damage to the gate or serious harm to your child or pet.

Child and Pet Safety Gates are categorized based on their style and installation method

There are some gates that feature an auto-close option. There are some that are freestanding, whereas others need to be mounted to the wall, doorway, or stairwell. It is always important to consider the installation method and to refer to the install manual of the gate prior to purchasing, to make sure the Child or Pet Safety Gate will work in the manner that you need it to.

Northline Express has partnered with KidCo to give you options to childproof your home heating area

KidCo launched the first metal child safety gate into the United States nearly 30 years ago and since then they have set a new standard of safety and style for baby, toddler, and child safety. Their line of safety gates will cover all of your needs for keeping your little ones safe. They have products that are designed with top-of-stairs safety, high-traffic areas, and large spaces in mind. These gates are designed to complement your home decor. They offer a variety of styles in both pressure mount and hardware mount gates. All KidCo gates include added features to ensure safety while promoting ease of use.

Check out our full line of Kid Co Child and Pet Safety Gates.

FAQ - Child Safety Gates - Baby Proofing - Pet Safety Gates

At what age can a baby gate be installed?

A baby gate can be installed as early as when your child is about 6 months old, as this is typically before most babies start to crawl, which usually occurs between 7 to 10 months. Installation can be done even earlier if you want to prepare in advance. However, keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, so this timeline might vary.

It's crucial to observe your child's interactions with the safety gate as they grow. Baby gates are generally most effective for children between 6 months and 2 years old. If your child learns to climb over the gate or figures out how to open it, it may be time to remove the gate or consider other safety measures.

Remember, the goal of a baby gate is to provide a safe environment for your child. Thus, installation should be done with both their current and future abilities in mind.

Are there any potential dangers for children with baby gates?

Despite their primary function being to ensure safety, baby gates can pose potential hazards if not used or installed correctly. Some common dangers include:

  • Improper Installation: Gates that are not securely mounted can easily be dislodged by a child's weight, especially at the top of stairs, leading to fall hazards.
  • Faulty Mechanisms: Plastic mounting hardware can crack or break over time, allowing the gate to unlatch and potentially exposing children to restricted areas.
  • Tripping Hazard: Poorly positioned gates can create a tripping hazard for both adults and children, particularly if left partially open.
  • Injury from Gate Material: Sharp edges or hard materials can cause injury if a child falls against the gate.

To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's installation guidelines, regularly inspect the gate for signs of wear and tear, and choose a gate design that is appropriate for the child's age and capabilities.

How to open a child or pet safety gate?

Opening a safety gate may seem straightforward, but the mechanisms can vary from model to model. There is usually some form of button or latch that needs to be moved, pressed or slid to open the gate. Some gates do require two hands to be able to open.

Here are a few general steps that apply to most gates:

  1. Locate the latch: The latch is often placed on the top or side of the gate. It could be a button, a lever, or some form of sliding mechanism.
  2. Unlock the latch: This usually involves pushing, pulling, or sliding the latch. Some gates may require simultaneous action, like pressing two buttons at the same time.
  3. Open the gate: Once the latch is unlocked, you can swing or slide the gate open. Some gates have a self-closing feature, so be mindful not to let go suddenly.

Remember to always read the manufacturer's instructions as the process may differ. Some gates may have a unique or complex locking system for added safety.

When is it safe to remove child safety gates?

The decision to remove the child and pet safety gate really depends on your child or pet's age and development and where the gate is located in the home. When a child can safely navigate downstairs, around hot appliances, and throughout the home are usually some of the things to consider. It is important to not remove the gates too early because keeping your child safe is the most important factor.

By the time many children are two to three years old they can comfortably walk downstairs, but they still may be too small to understand that the heat from the fireplace, freestanding stove, or hearth area is too dangerous for them to get near. So you will want to use your best judgment to decide when is best for your specific child or pet gates to be removed.

Where to purchase child safety gates?

Northline Express offers an assortment of Child Safety Gates as well as Pet Safety Gates that can be conveniently shipped directly to your home. They can be found in the Fireplace Accessories section of our website.

No matter where you purchase your Child or Pet Safety Gate, make sure that the size, style, and model are the best options for your specific home project.

Where can I go to read articles about other home heating projects?

Northline Express has created a Resource Center that is full of helpful articles on a variety of fire-related projects and also includes how-to articles to help navigate the installation and product selection processes.