BabyDan
Guard Me Folding Safety Gate, 55-89cm
7.9/10 overallAround £45
A screw-fitted, folding safety gate suitable for use at the top or bottom of stairs.
The Guard Me is a screw-fitted gate rather than pressure-fit, and its auto-closing, self-latching mechanism is specifically what allows it to be used safely at the top of stairs — a setting where pressure-fit gates like the Sure Shut Deluxe or Safety 1st Easy Close aren't recommended, since a knock could dislodge them where a stair fall is at stake.
Against those pressure-fit alternatives, the trade-off is installation: this gate requires drilling into the wall or banister, which is more work upfront and leaves fixing holes if you ever remove it, but delivers a genuinely more secure fit for the highest-risk locations in the home.
A sensible baby-proofing setup for most homes with stairs uses this or a similarly screw-fitted, stair-rated gate at the top, and a quicker pressure-fit gate at the bottom or in doorways where the stakes of an accidental knock are much lower.
What we liked
- Rated safe for the top of stairs, unlike pressure-fit gates
- Auto-closing latch means it's never left accidentally open
- Very secure once properly screwed in
Where it falls short
- Requires drilling into wall or banister
- Leaves fixing holes if later removed
- More involved installation than pressure-fit alternatives
Specs
- Material
- Metal frame
- Width range
- Approx 73-79.6cm, extensions available
- Fitting type
- Screw-fit, wall mounted
- Recommended use
- Suitable for the top of stairs
- Closing mechanism
- Auto-close, self-latching
How we scored it
Safety / Containment
How effectively the product keeps a mobile baby safely contained or supported.
The safest option for the highest-risk location in the home.
Ease of Installation
How quickly and easily it can be fitted or assembled without tools or drilling.
Requires drilling and more setup time than pressure-fit gates.
Durability & Value
Build quality and price relative to how long the product lasts in daily use.
Very sturdy once fitted; priced reasonably for a stair-rated gate.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Safety 1st
Easy Close Extra Tall Safety Gate
A pressure-fit stair and doorway gate with one-handed opening and an extra-tall design to keep determined climbers contained.