Reddit reviews Evenflo Secure Step Gate
We found 5 Reddit comments about Evenflo Secure Step Gate. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Standard Width: Fits openings 29" - 42" (7 3cm - 107cm), gate is 30" (76,2cm) tallEasy Glide Handle: Is simple to use with one handHardware Mount: Designed specifically for safety at top of stairs. Easily installs in minutesNo-Floor-Bar: Design eliminates concern of trippingEasy Walk-Through: Opens in both directions, ideal for high-traffic areas
Anchor all the things, even smaller, low dressers/bookcases. We used these straps on our TV (it's anchored to the TV stand instead of the wall, since that seemed sturdier to us) and a bunch of other things: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AKAGCOM/
If you can't screw into studs, make sure you use appropriately rated wall anchors/toggle bolts.
I love the outlet cover plates that automatically spring closed if something is unplugged. We have the new tamper-proof outlets in our kitchen and basement but I put the cover plates everywhere else. Bonus, they look nice/aren't obvious babyproofing. Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CHM3X4I/
I had a bunch of cabinets where regular safety latches wouldn't work, so I got these that attach with adhesive (which supposedly won't damage surfaces when removed): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0155IEUUM/
These work around corners and in a lot of other situations others might not work well.
To allow our cats to get in/out of our basement while keeping the baby out, we have this thing called a Latch n Vent: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BXSDQJE/
I always, always advocate using hardware-mounted gates instead of pressure mount. Patching a few screw holes in a couple years is way better than tripping over the bottom bar on a pressure mounted gate multiple times a day. We have two of these and I really like them - especially since they accommodate wider openings and give you a wider space to walk through, and are easy for an adult to open one-handed while holding a baby/toddler: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AUEJTE/
We use this Evenflow gate for the top of the stairs. It doesn’t have that strip at the bottom to step over that baby gates do. It was one of the only ones I found in my search for a top of the stairs gate.
You can see on this gate the little stopper at the bottom that would prevent baby from falling through if s/he were pushing and the locking mechanism failed. I think that's something you want to look for. This one does require that you drill directly into the banister, but you might be able to find an adapter rail - or you can always paint a 2x4 and zip tie the hell out of it to the existing rail and then drill into that.
At the top of stairs, you will need a hardware mounted one for safety’s sake. The pressure mounted ones can pop out if rammed too hard, and then baby and gate tumble down the stairs.
Besides, the hardware mounted one we have has a much wider door than our pressure mounted one. Here’s the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Easy-Walk-Thru-Stairs/dp/B004AUEJTE
It has a removable stop so it can swing either way but when you install the stop it only swings one way. It also doesn’t have a bar along the bottom to trip over like the pressure mounted one (same brand) does. As for how wide it is, the whole “gate” part swings, not a door within the gate. If you want pictures of what it looks like installed vs the pressure mounted one, let me know.
http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Easy-Walk-Thru-Stairs/dp/B004AUEJTE/
Is what we used for the top of the stairs and the opening to my office to keep the kiddo out. (we actually have a small landing/turn at the top of our stairs so for ease of getting upstairs we put the gate going from the post to the wall next to the landing instead of blocking off the top of the stairs, if that makes sense).
The latch has been perfectly fine for the last year, haven't had any issues with it. Just had to make sure that it is latched properly when closing it (a small jiggle or looking at the color indicator [red=unlocked, green=locked] on the side.