Abstract: A free-standing, self-supporting baby gate consisting of: a gateframe composed of two posts adapted to rest on opposite ends of a top stair and connected by a horizontal beam at the level of the horizontal plane of the top of the stairway; a flat, rigid mat, hinged to the beam connecting the two gateposts and adapted to rest on the floor at the top of the gateframe; a barrier which is hinged to one of the posts and latches to the other and; braces which are pivotally attached to each post and which rotate toward and lock against the mat.