I am soon going to be having my 10 month old nephew visiting from out of state. (This will be my first time seeing him!!!)
I have a flight of stairs with open railings (more than a soda can wide) that are attached such that I can't use a normal baby gate at either end. I think I will be able to attach a gate just past the top of the stairs with a wide gate against an unused bedroom door and the wall so he can't get near anything dangerous.
My problem is at the bottom of the stairs, the bottom step extends past the wall/railing and we have these bizarre tall baseboards that even if I could get a gate up, I'm afraid he might be able to wiggle under it. (I do not under estimate the creativity of my family.) Is there a product out there I might be able to put across to discourage him going up the stairs?
He is only visiting for a week, so I don't want to spend a massive amount, but I want him safe.
2007-10-23 08:43:30 · 3 answers · asked by alynette84 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The bottom opens directly into the main area, no place to block it. And my dog would move it for him anyway. (The house was built as a vacation house, as they build many of down here, and not ever meant to actually have people live in it)
2007-10-23 09:03:08 · update #1
Sounds like you have the most dangerous end (the top) covered. Why are you worried about the bottom end of the steps? If you're keeping an eye on the tike, he shouldn't be able to get more than 24 inches (three steps) off the main floor.
Sounds like your're being responsible, but the bottom of the steps is no more dangerous than a coffee table.
2007-10-23 10:31:04 · answer #1 · answered by TryItOnce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy a piece of plywood cut to the length of the opening. Buy 2 small hinges and attach to the wall drill a hole in the other side of the plywood at the top and bottom and bottom and you can use strings to tie to the ballisters. if the bottom of the step is open and past the wall and you are concerned about him getting under you can cut the plywood (a separate piece) to fit under the opening. I wish I could send you a picture. We had a similar problem with the steps and this was what I came up with. It worked well
2007-10-23 09:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by glbenner 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Block an entire hallway from getting to the stairs. I found storage bins work great, especially at that age.
2007-10-23 08:50:41 · answer #3 · answered by lillilou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋