Baby safety gates can be a lifesaver when it comes to adventurous and curious little ones! But did you know?
As there isn’t currently an Australian standard, certification to international standards is a good starting point – there are two international standards for safety gates: the European EN 1930 and the American ASTM F1004. Look for indications either on the packaging, online, or on the product manual that state (for example) ‘This product complies with safety standard EN 1930:2011’ – if you are unsure, always check with the retailer or supplier.
There should be no horizontal bars – they could be used for climbing.
Older criss-cross style type gates (which open like an accordion), can trap a child’s head or clothes and are too easy to climb. Overseas they’ve caused major injuries and deaths.
Gaps between bars should be between 50mm-95mm to ensure your child’s head can’t fit through or get stuck. Any accessib/*le smaller gaps should be between 12mm-30mm (to avoid hands or feet getting caught) or less than 5mm (to avoid trapping little fingers). Check the bars (or mesh) are rigid, so that a child can’t force gaps wider than the recommended dimensions.
Gate latches should be easily operated by an adult, but impossible for a toddler. Gates should require two separate actions to open, such as unlocking and lifting. The gate should close easily (some have an auto-close mechanism) and it should be clear whether the latch has engaged properly, with an audible or visible indicator.
In riskier areas such as the tops of stairs, it is not advisable to use a pressure-mounted gate (which it usually sits inside wall cups that stick onto the door frame or wall using adhesive). For added security, wall cups can usually be bolted or screwed directly into the wall or doorframe.
In 2020, Choice performed tests on a variety of baby gates, and some failed to pass what they deemed safe – the failed safety gates pose risks such as finger and limb entrapment and even potential strangulation risks.
Check out this visual from CHOICE of baby products with no mandatory standard:
Surprising right? Check out the full article here, where Choice breaks down the baby products that are not legally required to meet any mandatory safety standards, the ones that have failed their tests, and what they’re doing about product safety laws in Australia.
References – All from CHOICE:
Australia’s weak product safety laws
Child safety gates fail safety test and pose injury risk
How to buy the best safety gates and barriers
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