Dutch Stairs: How to Make Steep Staircases Safe

The Dutch Stair Problem

The Netherlands is known for its steep stairs. Compared to other European countries, Dutch homes have staircases with unusually steep angles, often between 35 and 45 degrees. This developed historically from the narrow, deep canal houses where space was always scarce. But even in new-build homes, stairs are steeper than what you would find in Germany or Scandinavia. For adults this is usually not a problem, but for young children, steep stairs are one of the biggest dangers in the home. According to VeiligheidNL (the Dutch Safety Organization), thousands of children fall on stairs every year, with a significant proportion requiring emergency room treatment. The combination of steep angles, narrow treads, and often missing handrails on both sides makes Dutch stairs especially dangerous. The good news is that excellent solutions exist, but you need to know what to look for given the specific challenges of a Dutch staircase.

When Do You Need a Stair Gate?

Many parents think they only need a stair gate when their baby starts crawling, but it is wise to start earlier. As soon as your baby can roll, usually around four to five months, there is already a risk of rolling off an elevated surface. The advice is to install stair gates when your baby is about five months old, well before the crawling phase. You need a gate at both the top and bottom of the stairs. The gate at the top is the most critical: a fall from the top of a steep Dutch staircase can cause serious injury. The gate at the bottom prevents your child from climbing the stairs unsupervised. Many parents forget that an open stairwell on the first floor also needs a gate. Remember that children are surprisingly fast and that an unsupervised moment of just a few seconds can be enough for an accident. Plan the installation well in advance.

Screw-Mount vs Pressure-Mount Gates: Which is Safer?

There are two main types of stair gates: screw-mount gates that are fixed to the wall or door frame with screws, and pressure-mount gates that are held in place by tension. For the top of the stairs, the answer is clear: always use a screw-mount gate. A pressure-mount gate can be pushed loose by a child leaning or pushing against it, potentially resulting in a fall. With steep Dutch stairs, this risk is even greater because the force of a fall is larger. For the bottom of the stairs, a pressure-mount gate can suffice in many cases, provided it is correctly installed and regularly checked for stability. With screw-mount gates, make sure you are screwing into a solid surface: drywall or thin wooden door frames do not provide sufficient support. If in doubt, use reinforcement plates that spread the pressure over a larger area. Choose a gate that meets the European safety standard EN 1930 and has a double-locking mechanism that a child cannot open by themselves.

Measuring for the Right Fit

Accurately measuring your stairway is essential for a proper installation. Measure the width at the point where you want to place the gate, accounting for the handrail, baseboards, and any unevenness in the wall. Measure at multiple heights, as walls are not always perfectly straight. Most stair gates are adjustable within a certain range, typically from 73 to 110 centimeters, with extensions available for wider openings. With steep Dutch stairs, you also need to pay attention to the position of the top step: the gate must be placed so that no dangerous gap is created between the gate and the first step. A child who falls through that gap still has a dangerous fall. Also measure the height of the gate: at least 75 centimeters is recommended, and for active climbers, 80 centimeters or higher may be needed. Write down all your measurements and take them to the store or use them when ordering online.

Installation on Steep Stairs: Special Considerations

Mounting a stair gate on a steep staircase presents unique challenges. The angle of the stairs can cause a standard gate not to close properly or leave a dangerous gap at the bottom. Some brands, such as BabyDan and Geuther, offer special brackets suitable for mounting on an angled wall or on stair spindles. Check when purchasing whether the gate is suitable for angled mounting. A common mistake is mounting the gate too far from the top step, creating a platform where a child can stand and climb over the gate. The gate should be placed as close to the edge of the top step as possible. For fixed handrails, you can use special Y-brackets that clamp around the round rail and create a flat mounting point. If you are unsure about the installation, consider hiring a professional handyman. The cost (30-60 euros) does not outweigh the risk of an incorrectly mounted gate.

Installation Checklist

• •Check whether the wall or door frame is solid enough for screw mounting. Use special hollow wall anchors or reinforcement plates for cavity walls.
• •Measure the width at a minimum of three heights and use the largest measurement as the basis for your gate.
• •Place the gate at the top of the stairs as close as possible to the edge of the top step, without dangerous gaps.
• •After installation, test whether the gate can be dislodged by firmly pulling and pushing on it.
• •Check all screws and mounting points monthly for loosening, especially with pressure-mount gates.
• •Teach all adults in the household to consistently close the gate, even when it feels inconvenient.

Anti-Slip Strips and Additional Stair Safety

A stair gate is the first and most important measure, but there are additional steps you can take to make the staircase safer. Anti-slip strips on the treads are a simple but effective addition, especially on smooth wooden or lacquered stairs. You can choose transparent strips that are barely visible, or eye-catching colored strips that help your child see the edge of each step. Lighting is another important factor: a night light or automatic LED strip along the stairway helps during nighttime trips to the bathroom, both for parents carrying a baby and later for the child themselves. If your staircase only has a handrail on one side, consider mounting a second handrail on the other side at child height (about 60 centimeters). This gives your child something to hold onto when learning to use the stairs. A stair runner or carpet on the treads cushions a potential fall and provides extra grip, but make sure it is securely fastened and does not create a tripping hazard.

Common Mistakes with Stair Safety

The most common mistake is using a pressure-mount gate at the top of the stairs. No matter how secure a pressure-mount gate seems, it can be pushed loose by a child with potentially disastrous consequences. A second common mistake is leaving the gate open because it is inconvenient, for example when carrying groceries upstairs. A gate that is open provides zero protection. Some parents mount the gate too low, allowing a growing child to climb over it. Regularly check whether the height is still sufficient as your child grows. Another mistake is forgetting the bottom of the stairs: children who cannot yet safely navigate stairs often climb up faster than you expect. Finally, we see parents removing the gate as soon as their child learns to walk, while most children do not have the coordination to safely navigate a steep staircase until the age of three to four years. Keep the gate longer than you think you need it.

Conclusion: Stair Safety is an Ongoing Process

Securing your staircase is not a one-time action but an ongoing process that evolves with your child. It starts with installing sturdy gates well before the crawling phase, followed by adding anti-slip strips and good lighting. As your child grows older, the focus shifts from physical barriers to teaching safe stair use. Most children can go up and down stairs under supervision around their third birthday, but it may take until their fourth birthday before they can do this independently and safely. Only remove the gates when you are confident that your child has mastered the stairs, and keep in mind that fatigue or distraction can cause even an older child to misstep. The BabyProof app helps you track all steps and reminds you to regularly check the mounting. With the right measures, you can live peacefully in a typical Dutch home, steep stairs and all.