A safety gate’s key task is to prevent a toddler or young child going somewhere they shouldn’t. In most cases, it’s to stop a toddler going up or down a flight of stairs that they could, if they’re not monitored, fall down, or into a room where they could seriously hurt themselves.

The sample of this stair gate that we tested failed tests that check whether there are any small parts that a child could choke on, whether the gate is tall enough and has no significant gaps allowing access, and whether it is sufficiently durable. It’s why we’ve made it a Don’t Buy.