Product Hazards – Baby Gates and Enclosures

An estimated 1,900 gate-related injuries required emergency room care to children under age 5 in 2009. NEVER use older, accordion-style gates with large V-shaped openings along the top edge and diamond-shaped openings in the sides that are large enough to entrap a child’s head and strangle at the neck. At least nine children have been strangled to death by these accordion-style baby gates, including circular wooden enclosures, which were manufactured before 1985. According to 2005-2007 data from CPSC Nursery Product Reports, an average of one child per year dies from gate-related injuries. Since 2007, 281,500 units have been recalled.

Use the right gate in each location – pressure gates, which stay in place without mounting hardware, are inadequate at the tops of stairs. Read the packaging carefully to make sure the gate will work where you intend to use it.

A recall or a corrective action had been issued for baby gates and enclosures for various reasons including:

• Plastic parts of the gate can break off into small pieces, creating a potential choking hazard to young children. In some cases, when parts break off, the gate will no longer be secure.
• Plastic mounting hardware that attaches to the wall can crack or break, allowing gate to unlatch and give children access to restricted areas such as stairs, resulting in fall hazards.

In February 2009 when Dorel Juvenile Group voluntarily recalled 100,000 Safety 1st SmartLight Stair Gates. The hinges that hold the stair gate in place can break, posing a fall hazard to children if the gate is placed at the top of the stairs.

More Information on Baby Gates and Enclosures

Old Accordion Style Baby Gates Are Dangerous