The First Years Hands Free Gate
by The First Years
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List Price: Our Price: $0.01 You Save: $59.98 (100%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of The First Years Hands Free Gate
Customer Review: LOVE this gate!
Summary: 5 Stars
We needed a sturdy gate at the top of our stairs that was pressure mounted because we had to mount it on both sides to our wood balusters. We did tons of research and finally settled on this one. We couldn't be happier with our pick! It is extremely sturdy, doesn't move in the slightest (and we use it ALL day long), and is well built. The hands-free option is an absolute must if you're getting this because you have small children. I can step on the release and nudge the gate open with my knee, so my hands are still securely on my child in my arms. I cannot imagine a child being able to open it because it does take quite a bit of pressure, in fact, our two year tries to step on it and can't budge it. The gate swings nicely in both directions and easily latches back in place. I don't especially like that the bar is underneath, but I also understand that there's no way around it. I will say that at least the designers tried to alleviate the annoyance of the bar by adding in slopping plastic mounds around the bar. They're not great but definitely better than just the bar. We also had to get the extension and it works great. Like other reviewers, I should mention that when you order the extension it's only ONE extension (I think about 5 inches or so), not two separate extensions, which is a little misleading in the description. We were right on the edge of needing another extension but it actually works great with just the one. Also, when you pull it out of the box it appears be bent, but it's made that way and it works once it's in. It's also easy to assemble and install. I highly recommend this gate! We might even get another one for the bottom of the stairs because it works so well.Customer Review: The perfect gate! -- Updated 2.5 Years later
Summary: 5 Stars
This gate is a definite must-have. It is sturdy and extremely easy to install--it only took ten minutes to get up and working including the time it took to get it out of the box. The hands-free aspect is a wonderful feature as this gate is in my kitchen doorway and I'm always going in and out with baby, groceries, etc. The foot pedal requires a great deal of pressure to trigger the release--easy enough to apply by stepping on it, but my 22 pound daughter has sat on the pedal and has not managed to open this gate by herself. I was a little bit worried that the pressure mounts would not hold the gate in place, but my daughter has pulled herself up, rattled and tugged, and it hasn't budged even with the extension add-on. I have gone through at least two other types of gates and this is my favorite by far in terms of quality, strength, ease of use, and ease of install.
**UPDATE** Two and a half years after writing the above review in July 2004 I stand even more firmly by what I originally wrote. Every other gate I bought has broken, been disassembled then wouldn't go back together properly, or was no longer strong or difficult enough to stop my child as they grew older/bigger. This gate uninstalled then reinstalled easily when I moved. The foot pedal still requires more pressure than my child can handle on their own so it continues to be a usable gate in my household. Most importantly--being in a high traffic area this gate has been used/locked/unlocked/walked through easily thousands, literally thousands, of times in the three years since I bought it and it is still in PERFECT working condition and is just as good as the day I bought it. I cannot recommend this gate more highly.
Customer Review: Careful!!! It's a HAND PINCHER!!!!
Summary: 2 Stars
We love that this gate is hands free as it is in a frequently used passage to the laundry room, kitchen, garage, and bathroom. We use it with two extensions in a hallway to keep our young dog from visiting all parts of the house. I was excited that I could adjust it so that both my tiny 5 year old daughter and beefy 2 year old son could get through the gate. Unfortunately, when they stand on the foot pedal, they often put their hand on the top for support, right on top of the release mechanism. When they release off the pedal, their skin is captured and they have gotten several terrible blood blisters. It is a painful learning process!
On the plus side, once installed, it is fairly secure. If used in a wooden door frame, I would expect there would never be a need to readjust. As we use it against somewhat flexible walls, it does wiggle loose eventually and require remounting. In addition, the bottom pressure mounts do not work against shoe moulding- we had to cut a couple of angled blocks and used non-slip rug pad to hold them in place. When it starts to become misaligned, it is difficult to close and open, which is frustrating.
In all, for the price, (we had to buy two extensions) I am not happy. Between kissing hurt fingers and readjusting (which requires either the plastic wrench it came with or a real one) this gate is a constant reminder of the need for a better solution. Hopefully the pup will be trustworthy soon.
p.s. If using it for a dog retainer, a small dog (under 10 lbs) can slip through the side bars. We had to add a clear piece of vinyl on each side (sold to childproof banisters) to keep her in when she was little.
Customer Review: More problems!
Summary: 2 Stars
I have had five of these gates now in my home daycare for just over a year. After giving three a try that I bought online, (I needed 5, but store only had 3 in stock) I went to Babies R Us to get more and talked with a pregnant couple and highly recommended the gate to them. They showed concern that a baby could open it. Well wouldn't you know it, after I had the gates for a month, my 16 month old, 22 lbs baby learned to open the gates by bouncing up and down on the pedal. However, I considerd him "gifted" and kept using the gates for the other babies. Then the pedals broke on two. No prob, the company said and promptly sent out five new pedals which have held up just fine. BUT now my problem is two of my gates the top HINGE has snapped in two!! The first one occured as I was closing the gate with the same usual care I normally use. I am not forceful or hard on the gates and I do not allow my kids to abuse them, either. The gate swings and closes VERY easily. The gate door just fell off in my hands. This was last Friday. The company responded by sending out a new gate and asked for the old one back. I got that gate just yesterday and haven't sent the broken one back yet, when just today a second gate snapped in just the same manner. Now it did not make a snap noise, it just silently broke. SO I went to examine the other three gates in my house for signs of stress/cracking but they appear to be fine! The company says they will not replace this second broken gate, but maybe they will after they see the first broken one. Now I'm worried that they will all break, leaving me without that extra help in keeping the kids safe. My son is now 23 months old and 30.5 lbs.Customer Review: Best gate yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this gate for my 2 year old's room. She has a habit of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and running through the house. Not only is that unsafe for her, but nerve racking for me. I used to have a regular pressure mounted gate up to her room, but she learned how to use the criss cross bars to climb up and over it. Im not comfortable closing her door, so I needed a gate that a) she couldnt climb b) wouldnt ruin the door way with drill holes and c)easy to open and close.This gate was the answer to our prayers. First of all, it requires NO hardware. It is pressure mounted and if you do it tight enough, it wont move an inch. We've had it installed for over 6 months and it has NEVER moved, even when DD has a fit and tries to move it at night. The foot pedal, knee pad is awesome. When she falls asleep in the living room, we can carry her into her room and open the gate with both hands full. The one problem some may not like is if you use it in a doorway, you cant close the door. I for one like that b/c I dont WANT her door closed. I can peek in at her all night and not have to worry about her running through the house and getting hurt.
During the day, she likes to play in her room and close the gate. We simply put scotch tape over the little things so it doesnt lock shut. She can open and close it all day without locking herself in all the time. The box recommends that you dont use it if your child is over a certain weight and age b/c then they could step on the foot pedal and open it themselves. My toddler is 31 lbs and hasnt been able to open it yet.
I think this gate is a great investment and I will buy more when the time comes.