Abstract: A safety gate which is adapted to be mounted on the sidewalls at the top or bottom of a stairway to prevent unwanted access thereto by a toddler or on the sidewalls of a door frame or other structure to prevent unwanted passage therethrough from either direction by a toddler includes a mounting rail which is adapted to be fixedly attached to one of the sidewalls, a locking post which is adapted to be fixedly attached to the other sidewall opposite to the mounting rail and a gate frame assembly which is adapted to be removably and pivotally mounted to one end to the mounting rail and secured at the other end, when desired, to the locking post. When the gate frame assembly is mounted on the mounting rail, the gate frame can be pivoted back and forth like a swinging door when restricted passage is not desired and then locked to the locking post when restricted passage is desired.

Abstract: A ladder shield for use in preventing toddlers and the like from climbing the steps of a ladder, such as an above-ground swimming pool ladder, when the ladder or the device to which the ladder is coupled is unattended is disclosed. The ladder shield comprises a rigid yet slightly flexible shell of plastic which is sized and shaped to fit around the front and sides of the ladder so as to block access to the steps on the ladder. The ladder shield is removably secured to the ladder by a removable locking bar which when inserted extends through a pair of holes in the side walls of the shield. The locking bar is secured in place by a lock. When not being used to prevent access to the steps of the ladder, the ladder shield may be used as a mini-foot wash.