A safety device to discourage and/or prevent children from climbing stairs on the exterior of the railing is detailed. This stair guard safety apparatus safeguards homes and protects children by shielding them from climbing to elevated positions on the outside of the railing, where the vertical drop is even more of a danger than inside the railings.A screen or shield is used to discourage children from climbing the outside of a staircase. The screen is fastened to staircase structure. Fixed support for securing the screen is provided by structure available in the staircase (e.g., handrail, bannister, closures and/or its accoutrements). This screen support is provided, for example, by sandwiching, applying pressure, surrounding or otherwise fastening the screen to existing staircase parts, such as bannisters, balusters, closures, steps or other structure. In many embodiments, the stair guard apparatus is fastened in such a way that it does not damage the balusters and is removable.