When it came time to buy a safety gate for the bottom of our staircase, my husband recommended the Safety 1st Perfect Fit Gate. I have to admit, I wasn't very picky... I figured that if it would work at the bottom of our staircase and was the right price, fine. (*Tip: We bought our gate at Home Depot because it was much cheaper at $30 there than Walmart-which I believe had it for $45) But this little gate that could showed me that my husband DOES have a clue. I liked the look of the gate, with the frosted panels it is definitely not an eye sore.
It's simple mounting system made it easy for my husband to install by drilling it's 4 small pieces into the wall for the gate to stay in place. I've spoke with him, and he said "It was no big deal- anyone can mount it in a matter of minutes." There is also an option to use this gate as a "pressure gate" where no installation is needed, but we opted for mounting. Opening and closing the gate is very simple and can be done one handed. You simply press the button and lift the handle and the gate easily swings open. To close it, you simply put it back in place and push the handle down into locked position. We had the perfect fitting gate at the bottom of the stairs, now for the real test...
My 14 and 11 year old found the gate easy to open and close, but my six year old stands at the gate calling for help. PERFECT! My two miniature schnauzers are also kept downstairs when needed by this gate. It's sturdy structure also has proven to keep the cat at bay when needed. It's funny to me that when the gate is closed he'll oblige and stay downstairs when needed, but he does.
The Perfect Fit Gate is appx. 25" tall so it could be stepped over if placed on flat ground. When in 'open' position, there is a red 'unlock' picture showing just under the handle which is convenient in getting my own children to make sure the gate is shut properly (no red showing) By pulling the handle up slightly further and pushing a small button on the side of the handle, a yellow part with arrows shows under the red unlock, telling you you are in adjustable mode. The gate can be adjusted to fit between a 27"-42" space. Very convenient because I know it had been difficult for me to find such a wide gate in the past- for my previous home.
Another nice thing about this gate is that it also qualifies to have a strong standing at the top of staircases, which I have found to be a "difficult gate to find" and this one is strong and sturdy. I cannot think of any cons with this gate, so I'll just use this time to ask that you go kindly on me when rating, I have been "out of the epinions loop" for a couple years here and hope that this first contribution back at this site is a satisfying one.
