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Shocking number of children's safety stair gates fail Which? safety tests
Eight stair gates tested by Which? have demonstrated serious safety failures that could prove dangerous for your toddler or child.
Samples of the Premier True Pressure and Perfect Close, both made by BabyDan, the Chelsea and Liberty, both made by Dreambaby, the Auto Close and Wooden Extending Gate, both made by Cuggl, the Lindam Sure Shut Orto and the Mothercare Wooden Wall Fix Gate all failed key tests that form part of the EU safety standard for stair and safety barriers.
The two main tests that these gates failed resulted in the stair gate dislodging. This could mean your toddler or child getting through the stair gate and potentially putting themselves in danger.
These tests are known as the fatigue test and the impact resistance test.
Go straight to the best stair gates that did well in our tests.
Video: See stair gates put to the test
Watch our video to see how these stair gates failed crucial safety tests.
Couldn't withstand being shaken by a child
The fatigue test involves a mechanical arm being clamped to the top of the gate and it being pulled back and forth 10,000 times. This is to mimic the actions of a toddler or child shaking and rattling the gate over time.
Any gate that moves more than 25mm from the starting point, including coming out of the testing set up, is a fail.
Couldn't withstand a child shoving the gate
The impact resistance test is where a 10kg weight is used to hit different points on the gate. This is to replicate the actions of a child shoving, kicking or ramming ride-on toy into the gate.
Any gate that moves more than 25mm from the starting point, including coming out of the testing set up, is a fail.
Second time we've found safety issues
This is the second time in less than a year that we've discovered safety issues with stair gates.
In October 2018, we discovered three stair gates that failed the fatigue test, and called for them to be removed from sale.
Check to see whether your stair gate is one of these.
We test gates according to the EU safety standard for safety gates (BS EN 1930:2011) at an accredited laboratory.
Our advice for stair gate users
Some of the pressure-fit stair gates that failed our testing have the option of being secured to the wall using screws as well as the adhesive pads.
When we tested the BabyDan Perfect Close, Dreambaby Chelsea and Dreambaby Liberty with the wall cups screwed into the walls, these gates passed the fatigue test.
If you have one of these gates we'd suggest you do this if you can.
If you're unwilling or unable to fix the gate using screws, for example you live in rented accommodation, we'd advise you to stop using the gate immediately, as it's potentially unsafe.
If you own a screw-fit stair gate that has failed our testing, we'd also suggest that you stop using it.
Instead, opt for one of our pick of the top five best stair gates. You'll know that not only is it safe, it's also easy to install and simple to open and close.
What the manufacturers told us
BabyDan
Babyt Dan told us: 'At BabyDan we take feedback about our safety products seriously, as safety of children is paramount to us.
'We manufacture to the highest possible standards. All our safety gates comply to the relevant safety standards (in this case EN1930:2011)
Read the Baby Dan Perfect Close stair gate review.
Dreambaby
Tee-Zed Products, maker of Dreambaby gates, told us: 'We do not accept Which?'s test results and consider them invalid.
'They are contrary to testing we have regularly conducted with accredited test laboratories. Our testing used adhesive only on the mounting cups.
Read the Dreambaby Liberty stair gate review.
Cuggl
Cuddl told us: 'All our products have to meet high safety standards and are regularly tested.
Lindam
Munchkin, the company that owns Lindam, told us that consumer safety is paramount to its values as a company and it is dedicated to providing safe, top-quality products.
It says that the Lindam Sure Shut Orto complies with all applicable standards including EN1930.
Read the Lindam Sure Shut Orto stair gate review.
Mothercare
Mothercare said: 'The safety of our customers and their children is our highest priority so, as a precaution, we have removed the stair gate from sale while we conduct further investigations and independent testing.
'We would like to reassure our customers that the stair gate complies with the required safety regulations and has passed all safety testing - BS EN 1930:2011.
