Bonded or slide on sleeve and cover devices, and replacement gate latches and methods for preventing injury with oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches that are pivotally attached to fixed support post next to an opening in a fence. The sleeves and covers and replacement oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches have enlarged blunt tips that can include bulbous, dome and ball shapes that prevent injury from children or adults that come into contact with the gate latches.