November 13, 2026, 2:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Once babies become mobile, it only takes a few moments for them to get from the nursery to the stairs. Stair gates are meant to prevent falls, but there are crucial differences in selection and installation. Especially at the top of the stairs, the wrong type can become a risk itself.
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Screw-mounted gates offer more stability
For the protection of babies and toddlers, two main types are offered: pressure-mounted gates and permanently installed screw-mounted gates. Which solution is suitable depends, among other things, on where the gate is to be used.
Pressure-mounted gates are practical, for example, if a staircase in a vacation rental needs to be temporarily secured or if drilling holes is not desired in a rental apartment. The gate is clamped between two walls or between a wall and a stair post.
According to the TÜV Association, these pressure-mounted variants are less stable than permanently screwed stair gates. Screw-mounted gates are permanently connected to the wall or to the wall and stair post.
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A tripping hazard at the top of the stairs
Another difference concerns the construction. Pressure-mounted gates usually have a bottom threshold that provides additional stability. However, this threshold can become a tripping hazard.
“At the top of the stairs, parents should always choose a permanently screwed safety gate without a bottom threshold,” advises André Siegl from the TÜV Association.
Even with a greater fall height and a correspondingly high risk, a screw-mounted gate should be used if possible.
If a pressure-mounted gate cannot be avoided, the TÜV Association recommends additionally securing the supplied holding and clamping brackets with adhesive pads. Depending on the layout of the apartment, another position may also be considered: For example, the gate can be mounted in a door frame before the actual stair area. This way, the child does not even reach the stair threshold.
Stair gates become a risk for climbing children
Regardless of the chosen type of attachment, parents should remember that a safety gate is not a permanent solution. Once a toddler can climb over it, the intended fall protection itself becomes an additional risk.
A height of at least 65 centimeters is intended to make it difficult for toddlers to climb over. Additionally, the stair gate should not have horizontal bars or other components that can be used as climbing aids.
Ultimately, the age of the child is also crucial: According to the DIN EN 1930 standard, child safety gates are only intended for children up to 24 months old.
With material from dpa