The Qdos Crystal® Designer Baby Gate is a hardware-mounted safety gate designed to keep children safe within designated areas of a home. It is intended for use with children aged 6 to 24 months and is engineered to meet or exceed safety standards including US-ASTM F-1004, Canada-SOR/90-39, and European-EN 1930, provided it is installed correctly between two strong and rigid surfaces.

Function Description

The primary function of the Qdos Crystal® Designer Baby Gate is to create a secure barrier, preventing young children from accessing potentially hazardous areas such as stairs, doorways, or other openings. It operates as a physical deterrent, ensuring children remain in safe zones. The gate features a locking mechanism that, when securely engaged, prevents unauthorized opening by a child. An At-A-Glance Indicator® visually confirms when the gate is properly locked, turning green for locked and displaying an 'X' when unlocked.

The gate's design allows for versatile mounting options. It can be installed at the top or bottom of stairs, as well as inside or in front of doorways and other openings. A key safety feature for top-of-stairs installation is the requirement to install the gate a minimum of 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top step. Additionally, a One-Way Stop accessory is included and must be used when the gate is at the top of stairs to prevent it from swinging out over the stairs. This accessory can also be used in other locations where restricting the opening direction is desired.

The gate's width is adjustable, accommodating various opening sizes by sliding its two gate panels. Further adjustments can be made in the handle and hinges. Beyond perpendicular mounting, the Crystal gate can be mounted at any angle within 180 degrees, offering flexibility for odd-angled locations.

Usage Features

Installation of the Qdos Crystal® Designer Baby Gate involves a series of steps to ensure secure mounting. The FastMount® Locking Rail and FastMount® Hinge Rail are assembled by pushing the Top Lock and Bottom Lock/Hinge pieces into their respective rails until plastic tabs snap into place. For walls with quarter-round molding, a Quarter Round Spacer can be removed from the bottom of the Bottom Lock.

The gate is designed for hardware mounting, meaning it is screwed directly into a solid surface. The manual provides guidance on appropriate screw types for different surfaces: short 2" (50 mm) screws for direct wood mounting, medium 2.75" (70 mm) screws for mounting into a stud behind drywall, and long 3.25" (85 mm) screws when using Baseboard Spacers. For other surfaces like drywall or brick, users are advised to consult a certified child proofer or hardware store for appropriate hardware, emphasizing that the gate should never be mounted into hollow walls or hollow brick.

The installation process involves using a provided Installation Level with a Marking Tool to ensure the rails are vertical and to mark screw locations. The Top Lock and Main Lock covers need to be removed to access upper screw holes during installation. Once the rails are attached, the gate panels are gently hung on the hinges. The gate's width is then adjusted by loosening four clamps with Allen wrenches, spreading the panels until the handle aligns with the lock on the Locking Rail, and then pushing down on the handle to engage the locks. The SecureTrack® screws are fixed and do not require adjustment. After leveling the panels, the clamps are tightened.

To open the gate, users slide back the locking latch while simultaneously lifting the gate and then opening the door. To close and lock it, the gate handle is lifted, aligned with the Top and Bottom Locks, and then pushed down until the At-A-Glance Indicator® turns green.

For challenging installation scenarios, Qdos offers additional accessories. If the baseboard height is 4.25" (10.8 cm) or less, the included Baseboard Spacers can be used for vertical installation of the rails. For baseboards taller than 4.25" (10.8 cm) or up to 7" (18 cm) tall and 7/8" (22 mm) thick, the Qdos Universal Baseboard Kit is recommended to create a vertical mounting surface. For installation on stair banisters or between spindles, the Qdos Universal Stair Mounting Kit is available, which wraps around banister posts (up to 4" diameter for square, 5" circumference for round) without requiring screws, thus preventing damage to the staircase.

The gate can be temporarily or permanently removed using a provided Gate Removal Tool. This tool slides into the underside of the Top Hinge, compressing locking tabs and allowing the gate to be lifted off the hinges.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the continued safe operation of the Qdos Crystal® Designer Baby Gate. Users are advised to regularly check all hardware and mountings to ensure they remain tightened. If any part of the gate is broken or missing, it should not be used.

Cleaning the gate is straightforward, requiring only a mild soap and a damp cloth. This helps maintain hygiene and the gate's appearance.

The product comes with a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase, covering manufacturing defects in material or workmanship under normal conditions and in compliance with the provided instructions. Qdos will repair or replace any necessary parts free of charge during the warranty period.

Important Safety Reminders

The manual strongly emphasizes several safety warnings:

Children have died or been seriously injured when gates are not securely installed. ALWAYS install and use gates as directed with all required parts.
STOP using the gate when a child can climb over or dislodge it.
NEVER use the gate to keep a child away from a pool.
Use only with the locking mechanism securely engaged.
This product will not necessarily prevent all accidents; children should NEVER be left unattended.
NEVER step or climb over the gate; always open it to pass through.
The gate is for indoor use only.
NEVER leave the gate unlocked or open, as older children may play with it, leading to injury or damage and voiding the manufacturer's warranty.

Qdos Crystal - Page 7

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