The one hurdle you won’t have to jump
June 11th, 2009
Have a three-year-old and a one-year-old makes it feel like we’ve had a baby gate at the top of our stairs (and in front of the fireplace and down the hall) for at least two years straight. The one at the top of the stairs was always a party to try and step over and I had a major awesome fall once trying to step over the one in the hallway. (My foot caught the top and I went flying, gate and all. It was NOT pretty.) That’s why when I saw Lascal’s KiddyGuard I simply had to check it out and share it with our readers, especially any of you who’ve hopped, skipped and jumped a few gates in your day!
Here’s the disclaimer: the company quickly sent one for review but just after it arrived we took down the gate at the top of the stairs to see what our almost-two-year-old daughter would do. She went down and up with ease and only ventures down when someone else goes with her, so the gate’s never gone back up…and the KiddyGuard has yet to be installed. But just the same I am thrilled about this new take on an “old” product.
What I love best about this product is it’s easy to install even at the bottom or top of stairs with railings. You can mount it inside door and stairway openings or on the wall front of door or stairway openings as long as they’re no wider than 51 inches. Another fab feature is how the gate disappears when not in use. Can you say that about your wood-with-rubber-lattice baby gate? This one just kind of tucks itself in (wish my kids would do the same) so you can walk down the hall without worrying about a face-plant mid stride.
And get this—the KiddyGuard actually emits a warning signal (a clicking sound) when the gate is opened so you’re alerted when your escape artist attempts to flee the premises. It also locks open and closed so it can’t become the newest not-a-toy toy in the house! Also, you can rest easy your little one is safe since Lascal’s KiddyGuard meets or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards and is certified by the JPMA. With all those awesome features I have a feeling this is one time you’ll forgive me for not actually testing the product—the dang thing sells itself!—Emily
