baby proofing issue- please help!

[cdlamis]

Ok- I know this belongs in the baby proofing area but I need advice!
We need to block off our stairs at the bottom. There are 2 steps at the bottom of the stairs that lead to a small landing, then it turns the opposite way to the rest of the stairs. make sense?

Since I can't find a gate that will safely and securely block off those first 2 steps (long story), will it be safer to put up a gate after the first 2 steps rather than put up a less sturdy gate at the bottom. Julia is pretty good at walking, I am just afraid that she will climb up the first 2 and fall down from there. We have a thinck rug that covers the linoleum that is a the bottom of the stairs. Or is it very important that I block access to any and all stairs (even just two?)

Thanks! This is driving me crazy and I want to get something done soon so I can let her roam around downstairs without the fear of the stairs.

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b32dc745c42b

[lisams]

If it were me personally, I would put the gate after the first 2 stairs, and put the thick (is it skid resistant?) rug below that. My DD likes to hang onto the bars of the gate while she "dances", so if it weren't secured to the wall then I would be afraid of her actually knocking it over and getting up the entire staircase.

[cdlamis]

Thanks- my husband thinks that if she does fall from the first or second step onto a rug that it is no worse than falling on our tile while running.
I would block off the whole thing if possible. I would feel so guilty if she did fall off the steps.
Any other advice?
Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b32dc745c42b

[egoldber]

On our main level, there are two steps down to the foyer. We never bothered to put a gate there, and it has never been an issue. I put some of those foam floor tiles (you can get them at toy stores in the shape of alphabet letters, etc.) at the bottom of those steps in case she fell down.

Has she fallen down them? Yes. Was she seriously hurt? No. Could she seriously hurt herself just running and falling on the floor? Definitely. You can't protect them from everything. I think its more important that the gate you install for the main part of the steps is really sturdy.