Clippasafe Extendable Dual Fix Push to Lock Gate review

The Clippasafe Extendable Dual Fix Push to Lock Gate extends from 71.5cm to 109.5cm, so it’s unlikely that you’ll need to purchase an extension fitting. It can be installed in two ways - a permanent option of wall mounted hinges and wall cups, or by pressure fit between wall cups. The gate has a push-down-to-lock and pull-up-to-open system.

When the Extendable Dual Fix Push to Lock Gate turned up for testing, it was perfect timing - we don’t have a door on our living room space and 10-month-old Gabriel is whizzing around everywhere. He seems to head for all the danger zones - cat food, cat flaps, stairs, shoe racks, several slamming doors. We needed to contain him – and quickly!

What we love

The gate we trialled was the natural beechwood, which does look rather stylish.

Once closed, the gate is toddler-proof as well as baby-proof. Even my 3-year-old couldn’t figure out how to open it.

There isn’t a bar across the bottom of the gate, which means no tripping over when passing through. Another brand we’ve previously used constantly caught me out when carrying Gabriel up and down the stairs.

Despite our DIY experience with the gate (explained below), I’m now in favour of replacing all our pre-existing gates with a Clippasafe – this model fits any doorway or staircase from 71.5cm to 109.5cm and there are more choices in the range, including a no-tools-required Pressure Fit Gate, though this does have a bottom bar.

What to watch out for

I was hoping for a gate that required minimum DIY since this is not a skill anyone in our immediate family can boast, me included. Out came the gate and we opted first for the pressure wall cup mounts rather than the wall hinges, thinking this looked most straightforward. This wasn’t quite the case - it still requires some drilling and decision-making (choosing of appropriate screws, which are not included), but for most with a moderate level of DIY knowledge, it should be a breeze.

The pressure-fitted wall cup option means the gate is lifted out of the wall fittings entirely each time you open it, which is ideal for part-time carers or grandparents who don’t need to be on guard 24/7. Since we are well and truly full time, we decided we might as well try the hinged mount option, which requires a small amount of drilling. Fortunately, the father-in-law, who is very handy with a toolbox, was visiting. I handed over the manual, but was surprised to see a lot of head scratching over the next hour. Turns out the manual pages were stapled in the wrong order and the instructions were all mixed up.

We almost resorted to calling the customer careline (0115 921 1899), but common sense prevailed and the gate was hinge-fixed in, in our crumbly cottage walls, in a matter of hours. It looked a bit wonky - the spindles didn’t seem fit in to the wall cups evenly top and bottom without a little wiggling – but it seems to work. The gate was able to swing both ways and Gabriel was contained. That is, until my toddler lent on the gate and the hinges fell out with a whole load of sandy concrete. Fortunately, the CEO at Clippasafe offered me a great tip for this problem – “If you have crumbling plaster, we would strongly recommend that a vertical wooden strip is screwed to the wall on each side before the gate is fitted.” The downloaded pdf on Clippasafe’s website also does also outline that the “fixing surfaces must be suitable for the purpose and structurally sound”.

Who is Clippasafe Extendable Dual Fix Push to Lock Gate best for?

Clumsy mums who can’t see their feet when walking with a babe in arms and grandparents who want to hide the gate away when the kids go home.

MadeForMums verdict

The Clippasafe Extendable Dual Fix Push to Lock Gate is easy to use with just one hand lifting up or swinging out, and easy to fit when you know how. It doesn’t have a bottom bar, which some parents find a niggle, and it’s versatile, fitting most door and stair spaces.