Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

Houdini DD 17 months can open stair gate - help!

10 replies

mandymac · 04/12/2006 13:24

Hi
My DD has learnt how to open the stairgate at the top of our stairs. Is is a wall mounted rather than pressure one, so ideally I don't want to have to replace it. Does anyone know of any additional locks you can buy for stairgates? Also, what sort of age can you start teaching them to go down stairs?

OP posts:

colditz · 04/12/2006 13:25

Wrap a dressing gown belt around the handle and tie it - can you find us a pic of your stirgate?

Original poster

mandymac · 04/12/2006 13:29

off to have a look for a pic now

OP posts:

liquidclocks · 04/12/2006 13:34

Hi mandymac - we've never had stairgates and taught DS1 to climb up/down stairs with supervision at 10 months by crwling up forwards and crawling down backwards. By about 14 months I could happily not worry about his safety and now he's 2 I let him go up/down stairs on his own to fetch toys etc to where he wants to play with them.

Have to say though - one of my good friends did call me irresponsible! But then again, I know of a few other people who've done the same as me and had no problems and then others who've had stairgates until theirs were 3/4 and those children have fallen down the stairs at least a few times - I think it depends what they get used to and judge it by the individual child and their sense - or lack of!

Original poster

mandymac · 04/12/2006 13:36

It is this one here

OP posts:

JARMgotstuckupthechimney · 04/12/2006 13:37

we have that sort too and Jess can open them now - wouldnt be so bad but with a 13 month old running around now, I have to keep telling her NOT to do it.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

liquidclocks · 04/12/2006 13:39

Can't think of any way you'd modify that one - is it like a press a bit of plastic in then lift and open type (think I recognise it)?

HeavenisInherwinterunderwear · 04/12/2006 13:42

We've had that one too. Make sure everything is tightened up as they do get a bit loose over time.
Teach how to go up and down stairs as soon as they show an interest.
Ds2 showed an early interest in stairs. He learnt to climb up and down as you would on a ladder.

Original poster

mandymac · 04/12/2006 13:44

We have already had to put a screw in place to prevent her opening it outwards over the stairs and effectively 'swinging' herself out over the stairs , but she can still open it towards herself. My mum struggles with it when she visits heck I struggle with it occasionally. Am I going to have to resort to boy scout knot tactics?

OP posts:

Original poster

mandymac · 04/12/2006 13:46

Yes liquid clocks - you kind of move a plastic 'latch' type thing and then lift the gate over a catch to open it. I will see if we can fiddle with it to make it harder.

OP posts:

liquidclocks · 04/12/2006 13:51

I have this phobia personally about not being able to get out of the house if I needed to like if there was a fire or something so I'd be super cautious about making it too difficult to open if you're already struggling.

If I were you, start teaching her how to do steps safely wile you're there and say some very firm 'no's' while pointing at the gate. Then, hopefully she won't try it so much but if she does while you're not looking then hopefully she won't hurt herself.

Good luck!

(PS - I found the hard work really pays off when you're round other peoples houses as it stops you panicking so much - unlike my good friend who is still worrying now her DD is 2 and a 1/2 )

Flip