can you recommend a good safety/stair gate?

[crunchynut]

Hallo, there are so many stair gates around i was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Or even ones not to buy! Am looking for one you dont have to screw to wall. Thanks!

we bought the only one we could find that uses stick on pads, and pressure that said it could be used at the top of stairs. We bought two - one has broken. they have to be checked really frquently!( ours was called a Norht States auto close gate - but we are in the usa and don't know if same make is in uk - wouldn't really recommend it tbh)

The ones which don't have to be screwed on can be risky. I've heard of several instances where the toddler fiddled with the bolts that tension the frame (or at least they must have, because the accident couldn't be accounted for otherwise) and at some point somebody leaned on the gate, or opened or shut it too firmly, and the gate slipped off. Fortunately these were all gates either at the bottom of the stairs or across doorways.

Personally, I like the ones which don't have a bar across the bottom, especially for stairs. They also tend to have a wider opening, which is far more convenient when negotiating a gate with an armful of child or laundry, etc.