How to fit a stair gate

Fit a wall-mounted gate at the top of the stairs and another at the bottom, screwed in as the maker's instructions say. That's RoSPA's advice for children under 24 months. Do it before your baby becomes mobile, it says, and the NHS says to keep gates at both ends until your child is at least 2.

We haven't fitted these ourselves. The safety advice below comes from RoSPA and the NHS. The fitting details come from Safetots, which sells gates, so read those as a seller's notes and follow the manual for your own gate.

Where the advice differs

At the top, nobody disagrees. RoSPA says wall-mounted, and Safetots says it would only ever recommend a screw-fit gate there, opening away from the stairs.

The bottom is where they part ways. RoSPA says wall-mounted at both ends. Safetots says the bottom gate may be any style, including pressure fit, because it stops a child climbing up, not falling down. We go with RoSPA, the safety body, over a retailer. Renting and can't drill? Ask your landlord first. If you do end up with a pressure-fit gate anywhere, Safetots prints a warning never to use one without its wall cups.

Prices were checked on 3 November 2026. The Safetots price rises with width. It's the lower-priced of the two screw-fit gates here, at £24.95 against £94.95 for the BabyDan, and the extra buys beech.

How to fit it

1. Measure the opening. Take the width where the gate will sit. BabyDan's listing says to measure twice. Order the size that covers your number.
2. Check what you're screwing into. Safetots says the surfaces should be secure, in good repair, dry, solid and clean. Fix any wobbly banister rail or spindle first.
3. Pick the right fixings. Safetots lists wood screws for wood, plasterboard plugs and screws for plasterboard, plug and concrete screw for concrete, and metal screws for metal. Check what's in the box. The BabyDan listing says screws for wood are included.
4. Set the swing. At the top, the gate should open away from the stair treads, says Safetots. The Safetots gate has a one-way stopper to hold that direction.
5. Follow the maker's instructions. RoSPA asks for this, and Safetots prints warnings that wrong installation can be dangerous and that a barrier mustn't go across a window.
6. Test it. Push, pull and rattle it, as a child will. Then walk through a few times.

No wall to screw into? Safetots sells a stair post fitting kit, so look before you drill.

After it's up

Close it properly every time, says the NHS. RoSPA says to check regularly that the fittings stay secure.

• Remove steps. Safetots points out that nappy boxes stacked by a gate make good steps. Keep the area clear.
• Tie nothing to it. Safetots says nothing should be attached to a gate that isn't part of its fitting.
• Check the banisters. The NHS says to cover gaps wider than 6.5cm with boards or safety netting.
• Keep the stairs clear. RoSPA and the NHS both mention toys and other trip hazards.

Checking the standard

The NHS and RoSPA both name the same standard: BS EN 1930:2011 (BSI, status Current, Under Review, checked 3 November 2026). BSI's scope covers indoor barriers for children up to 24 months. Safetots says its gates for that age comply when fitted to the instructions. Note that condition. The BabyDan listing says it complies too.

We found no current recall for these two models on 3 November 2026.

When to take it down

BSI's scope stops at 24 months, and the NHS says to keep gates until at least 2 years. Past that, ask your health visitor if you're unsure.

Upstairs at nap time

A gate changes nothing about sleep. On the back, on a firm, flat surface, in a clear cot, and in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months, says the NHS. That includes naps.

Once your baby's moving, the difference between gagging and choking is worth knowing too. If you're still planning ahead, here's what you need before the birth. You can also see every stair gate we list.