Customer Reviews
Does the Job 
2008-07-02
We've used cheap collapsable barriers before, and they are fiddly and after time, damage the wall. We would put them on when the kids were crawling about. But now we have a new baby and the older kids can't hurdle the old barrier like we can, so we had to get one with a door. I like the fact that we aren't popping it on and off like the old one and it will just stay in place for the duration.
The older kids (twins) are 3 and a half and the lightest one (girl) weighs about 36 pounds. She can open it (with a little difficulty) by bouncing on the release, which is a relief to us since we didn't want to be lifting her over all the time. So it works well for keeping baby in, and letting little kids through.
really hands free! 2008-06-30
We love this gate, it is so easy to install. I just got rid of our superyard gate. That was not very good to use because you have to climb in and out of the gate. If you have an active child like mine, you will have to go in and out a lot. Several times i trip over it and it's not fun when you bang your legs into the gate. It is plastic but still it hurts! Since we just change to this hands free gate, we are so relieved. It's worth every penny!
Careful!!! It's a HAND PINCHER!!!! 
2008-06-29
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.
Best gate so far.... 2008-06-27
We have many gates in our house and this one by far is the best one. It was very easy to install and use. My daughter loves to swing the gate closed and she hasn't got hurt once, it is a very safe gate for little fingers. Very handy to open with your foot when your hands our full.
Wonderful Gate, Saved our Carpet! 2008-06-25
Before buying this gate, we had an ugly green carpet that apparently the dog did not respect either. The dog decided it must have looked like the lawn outside and began using it the same way. We were constantly on our hands and knees cleaning, shampooing, and scrubbing this thing. We decided to buy new carpet and did not want the problems to start again. We bought this gate and installed it on our stairs so that she would be unable to get to the carpet while we were not home. We were concerned about the gate getting in our way, but with the hands free ability to oen and close this gate, we have had no problems. There have also been no accidents on our new carpet. We are very pleased with the function of this gate!
Great Gate with One Potential Upgrade 2008-06-20
Rarely does a mom or dad make it through a day without thinking they could use an extra set of hands. So First Years designed the next best thing -- a safety gate that doesn't require any hands at all! But even though it's simple for an adult to just press on the pedal and walk through, it's too difficult for a baby. The gate fits all standard doorways 29" to 34" wide, and, with use of the Gate Extension Kit (sold separately) will also fit other openings up to 44" wide. The pressure-mounted design won't damage walls or doorways. An audible click lets you know the gate has locked.
worth what it costs and quite sturdy 2008-06-20
This gate is very simple to install, but time-consuming to get the perfect fit. I'd say it took me a solid half an hour the first time. I recently moved it to a doorway and spent just 15 minutes (since I am now an experienced baby gate installer). It is tension mounted with no hardware or tools required. It does come with a little plastic wrench, which is useful for the final tightening once you have the gate in place. It does take quite a bit of elbow grease as well.
I expected the gate to swing closed more easily. You have to stop and use your hand, foot, or knee to push it all the way closed - at least on mine. I do find myself using my hands most the time to make sure it's closed, but if I do have my arms full it can definitely be operated without my hands.
My baby girl is 8 months old and spends a lot of time standing at the gate (and pulling on it). I like that if she has her hands on the gate, there is nowhere for her fingers to get pinched as I open it. Well, there is one place she could; if she ever messed with the foot pedal near the bar that it's connected to. I have found that if I get my foot too close to that bar when operating the foot pedal, I get a good pinch.
I am using the gate in a doorway and the door is able to close normally. The braces come off the doorjamb just ever so slightly, but it is still secure.
I have also used it in a hallway with one extension. In the hall, the top two braces were affixed on the wall, and the bottom two on floorboards, which come out about 1/2" and I still got a secure fit. The hall is 38" and one extension did the trick, but the extensions are about $16 so it could get expensive if you needed to make it wider. The manufacturer recommends only going up to 44". When I removed the gate from the hall there was damage to the wall under one of the top braces - it removed paint and texture.
Love it 2008-06-19
I have two of these gates now. It was so easy to install, less than 5 minutes to set-up. Convenient, no need for hands. I can have my hands full and still get in and out of rooms with this little gate. Love it.
Love this gate! 2008-06-16
I've searched everywhere to find a gate that fits our staircase. The posts are uneven and I've had a ton of difficulty. Anyway this gate is awesome! It's works perfectly!
Awesome Gate! 2008-06-14
I can't understand why some people have had any problems with this gate. It's awesome! It was very easy to install and my little one jumps up and down on the floor lever and can't get it to open. I can't get the pedal off if I tried so I think there may be some problems with the others who spoke about it coming off so easily. I love that its hands free and sturdy like a rock!
