A step stool should always have four stable, sturdy points of connection with the ground. Anything that leans—like a ladder— cannot be used as a step stool for safety reasons. Step stools often have extra safety precautions like textured feet to make sure a child does not trip while using it, or so that it does not slide. Anything that is too high off the ground or doesn’t have a sturdy base should also not be used as a step stool, such as a chair, a stack of books, or a side table.