2004 Consumer Reports Ratings for Safety Gates

[babymama]

August 2004 issue of Consumer Reports lists it's best buys for child safety gates. Evenflo Secure Solutions Swing Gate ($35) is their choice for "CR Best Buy". Rating highlights listed below.....

1st 5 picks are all hardmounted, picks #6-#12 are pressure-mounted.

Hardware Mounted Gates:
#1 - The First Yrs Simple and Secure Stair Gate 3620, $70
#2 (CR Best Buy) - Evenflo Secure Solutions Swing Gate 1050, $35

Pressure Mounted Gates:
#6 Kidco Gateway Model G11, $70
#7 Evenflo Easy Swing Gate 545, $30

HTH!

Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

[icunurse]

Hate to be difficult, but if you get the time, do you mind listing all of them (at least the hardmounted ones). We need a couple for different places, widths, uses, etc. Was this in the monthly magazine? Thanks!
Traci
~Connor's Mom~

[babymama]

Hi there. Yes, the list was in the monthly magazine. I left the magazine at work, so will post on Monday.
Thanks,
Lydia
Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

[new_mommy25]

You can see the results here: http://tinyurl.com/4tym8
I am surprised Evenflo was rated so highly. I didn't buy their gate due to the number of negative reviews on Amazon.

[babymama]

Listed below in the order of the CR rating

Hardware-mounted Gates:
#1 - The First Years Simple & Secure Stair Gate 3620, $70
#2 - (CR Best Buy) EvenfloSecure Solutions Swing Gate 1050, $35
#3 - KidCo Safeway Gate G20, $65
#4 - Cardinal Gate Stairway Special SS-30A, $80
#5 - Safety 1st Swing N' Lock Gate 41780, $30(mountable w/ hardware or pressure, CR tested both)

Pressure-mounted Gates:
#6 - Kidco Gateway Model G11, $70
#7 - Evenflo Easy Swing Gate 545, $30
#8 - Kidco Gateway to Go G14, $65
#9 - The First Years Hands-Free Gate 3600, $60
#10 - Safety 1st Swing N' Lock 41780, $30 (mountable w/ hardware or pressure, CR tested both)
#11 - Safety 1st Easy-Fit Security Gate 41817, $15
#12 - Cardinal Gate Pressure Gate PG-5, $90

SECURITY: Excellent
#1, #2, #3, #4
SECURITY: Good
#6, #7
SECURITY: Fair
#8, #9, #10
SECURITY: Poor
#11, #12

DESIGN SAFETY: Excellent
#1, #5, #8, #10, #11
DESIGN SAFETY: Very Good
#2, #3, #7
DESIGN SAFETY: Good
#9, #12
DESIGN SAFETY: Fair
#4

CONVENIENCE: Excellent
#6,8,9
CONVENIENCE: Very Good
#7
CONVENIENCE: Good
#1,2,3,4,5,10,11
CONVENIENCE: Fair
#12

From the article:
"Overall, hardware-mounted gates scored higher than pressure-mounted gates because they are more secure. They're the only type we recommend for stairs. But pressure-mounted gates are fine as room partitions."

They chose the Evenflo (#2) as the CR Best Buy, but say "the main reason to consider spending more for TFY (#1) is that its design is somewhat better at preventing your child's finger from catching in the gate. It also fits the widest opening of any gate in our tests."

HOPE THIS HELPS!

Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

[mom to little e]

Geez...that was awfully nice of you to post all of that. Thanks! We are very soon going to be into that category as DS is rolling ALL around the house!

Casey
Ean 11/06/03

[coffeemug230]

THANK YOU !!! My ds is almost 8 months old and will be moving anyday now! I popped into this forum for the first time to start to look!

[himom]

Does anyone know where to find the #2 Evenflo gate? I can't seem to track on down.

TIA!

Jodi
Mommy to Joshua, born February 2003

[pritchettzoo]

Their website is extraorinarily unhelpful as well--it says "Independent Retailers" carry that gate, which is here on their website: http://www.evenflo.com/pr/ga/prga_topofstair.phtml

I guess check with independent baby stores in your area (anything that's not BRU?)... Or maybe email Evenflo for more help?

Anna

[babymama]

I fouind it on the Babies R Us website.

Here's the link
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=baby&n=540992

Good luck!

Lydia
Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03
http://lilypie.com/baby1/041116/0/6/1/-6/.png