Because Ziggy has hurt himself three times on it already. (There are a couple of bruises and cuts right by his eye, if you can't tell from the picture.) Pa also tripped and fell because of the gate, but he was running frantically down the stairs, playing "monster" and trying to get away from the kids. See, I try the same hiding trick, but I just move with a little more grace. "Gee, that garage still needs a little bit more organizing...maybe I'll work out there for a while..."
