Stair Safety: Protecting Your Baby and Toddler

Stairs are one of the most common sources of injury in young children. Babies and toddlers are drawn to stairs—they're exciting to climb, and falling doesn't scare them until it happens. Every year, thousands of children are treated in emergency rooms for stair-related injuries. With proper safety measures and supervision, most of these injuries are preventable.

Understanding the Risk AAP

Stairs pose different risks at different developmental stages.

Why stairs are dangerous:

• Babies have heavy heads relative to their bodies
• Toddlers have undeveloped coordination and balance
• Young children don't understand height or falling
• Carpeted stairs provide false sense of security
• A fall from just a few stairs can cause serious injury

Age-related risks:

0-6 months:

• Risk from being carried on stairs
• Falls when placed in bouncy seats or carriers on stairs

6-12 months:

• Babies drawn to climb before they can safely descend
• Rolling or crawling to unprotected stairs
• Falling through balusters

1-2 years:

• Climbing without understanding danger
• Running and falling on stairs
• Going up easily but can't come down safely

2-3 years:

• Increased independence and speed
• May try to climb over gates
• Still developing coordination

Common stair injuries:

• Head injuries (most concerning)
• Broken bones (arms from trying to catch themselves)
• Bruises and cuts
• Neck injuries (rare but serious)

Safety Gates: Your First Line of Defense CPSC

Safety gates are essential for any home with stairs and young children.

Where to install gates:

• Top of all stairs (required)
• Bottom of stairs (recommended)
• Any room transition where you want to limit access

Types of gates:

Hardware-mounted gates:

• Screw directly into wall studs or door frames
• Cannot be pushed over or dislodged
• REQUIRED at the top of stairs
• Most secure option
• More difficult to install and remove

Pressure-mounted gates:

• Use pressure to stay in place
• No drilling required
• Easier to install and remove
• NEVER safe at the top of stairs
• Acceptable at bottom of stairs or room doorways

Features to look for:

• JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certified
• Height of at least 22 inches
• Slats no more than 2.5 inches apart
• Sturdy construction
• Easy for adults to operate
• Difficult for children to open

Gate installation tips:

• At top of stairs: Always hardware-mount into studs
• Position gate to swing away from stairs, not over them
• Ensure no gaps at bottom for baby to roll under
• Check gate frequently for looseness
• Follow manufacturer weight and age guidelines

Types of Gates for Different Situations

Standard swing gates:

• Open like a door
• Good for frequently used openings
• Choose models with one-hand operation
• Make sure it latches securely every time

Retractable gates:

• Roll up like a blind when not in use
• Good for wide openings
• Less obtrusive
• May not be as sturdy as rigid gates

Extra-wide gates:

• For openings wider than standard doorways
• Often use extension panels
• Ensure stability across entire width

Walk-through gates:

• Have a door that opens for adult passage
• More convenient than climbing over
• More expensive but worth it for high-traffic areas

Beyond Gates: Additional Stair Safety Safe Kids

Gates are essential but not sufficient alone.

Stair maintenance:

• Keep stairs clear of toys, clothes, and clutter
• Ensure good lighting on stairs and at top/bottom
• Fix loose carpet or flooring immediately
• Repair loose handrails promptly
• Check that all balusters are secure

Baluster safety:

• Balusters should be no more than 4 inches apart
• Install baluster guards if gaps are too wide
• Check for loose or broken balusters
• Watch for horizontal railings that encourage climbing

Carpeting and treads:

• Carpet can cushion falls but also cause trips
• Keep carpet firmly attached
• Consider non-slip treads on wooden stairs
• Avoid loose rugs at top or bottom of stairs

Handrails:

• Ensure sturdy handrails on both sides
• Child-height handrails help older toddlers
• Teach children to use handrails from early on

Teaching Stair Safety AAP

Even with gates, children need to learn safe stair navigation.

When to start teaching:

• Begin supervised practice when child shows interest (usually 8-12 months)
• Always supervise closely during practice
• Short sessions are better than long ones

Teaching to climb up:

• Start at bottom of stairs
• Stay behind and below child
• Let them crawl up one step at a time
• Praise success, stay calm about falls

Teaching to come down (the harder skill):

• Most important skill to teach
• Start with "feet first on tummy" method
• Child turns around, lies on belly, and backs down
• Practice this repeatedly before advancing
• Move to sitting and scooting down later
• Standing and walking down comes last (usually 2-3 years)

Safety rules to teach:

• Always hold the railing
• No running on stairs
• No carrying large items on stairs
• Sit down if feeling unsteady
• No toys on stairs
• Ask for help if unsure

When to Remove Gates

Gates are needed longer than many parents expect.

Signs your child may be ready:

• Consistently demonstrates safe stair navigation
• Can go up AND down safely
• Follows stair safety rules reliably
• Usually around age 2-3, but varies
• Better to keep gates longer than remove too early

Transitioning away from gates:

• Remove bottom gates first
• Keep top-of-stairs gates longest
• Continue supervision even without gates
• Can reinstall if child regresses or during active play

When to keep gates longer:

• If child runs and plays wildly
• If child is impulsive or doesn't follow rules
• During parties or chaotic times
• If child is frequently injured

Stairways in Different Living Situations

Apartments with stairs:

• Interior unit stairs need same protection
• Building common stairs require supervision
• Consider elevator use when possible with small children

Homes with multiple staircases:

• Gate ALL staircases, not just main ones
• Don't forget basement stairs
• Attic access should be secured

Spiral staircases:

• Particularly dangerous for young children
• More difficult to gate
• Require custom solutions
• Extra supervision needed

Outdoor stairs and decks:

• Same safety principles apply
• Weatherproof gates available
• Check that deck balusters meet safety standards
• Be aware of slippery conditions

What to Do After a Fall

Most stair falls result in minor injuries, but know when to worry.

After any fall:

• Stay calm
• Comfort your child
• Assess for obvious injuries
• Monitor for concerning symptoms

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Vomiting after the fall
• Unusual drowsiness or confusion
• Fluid from ears or nose
• Unequal pupil size
• Difficulty walking or moving normally
• Persistent or severe crying
• Large bump or swelling on head

Monitor for 24-48 hours for:

• Changes in behavior
• Increased sleepiness
• Balance problems
• Headache that worsens
• Changes in eating or nursing

When in doubt, call your doctor - they'd rather hear from you than miss something important.

The Bottom Line

Stair safety requires a combination of physical barriers (gates), environmental modifications (good lighting, clear stairs, secure railings), and active supervision and teaching. Install hardware-mounted gates at the top of all stairs, use appropriate gates at the bottom, and begin teaching safe stair navigation as your child develops. Most stair injuries are preventable with proper precautions.

Clara is here to help you navigate stair safety as your little climber grows!