Playground Fencing: Balancing Safety and Accessibility Playground safety is a crucial concern for communities across New Zealand, particularly when it comes to protecting children from nearby vehicular traffic. While there is no national standard prescribing a specific safe distance between play equipment and roads, some local governments have developed their own guidelines based on experience and risk assessment but unfortunately this is not consistent throughout. Fencing Gu

Is CCA treated Timber Still Suitable for Playgrounds? Understanding the Risks and Safer Alternatives In New Zealand, nearly all playground timber supplied by major NZ manufacturers is treated to H4 or H5 levels using Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). While this preservative treatment is common locally and effective in preventing timber decay, it does not align with international best practice — particularly regarding health and safety standards for playground environments. Hea

Understanding NZS5828 Compliance for Older Playgrounds The NZS5828 playground standard is not applied retrospectively, provided that the equipment met the applicable standard at the time of its original installation. In such cases, the equipment may continue to be maintained according to its original design—this is often referred to as a "grandfather clause." However, if the equipment is significantly altered, modified, or relocated, it is expected to be brought up to current

Playgrounds are a vital part of childhood. They support physical development, confidence, creativity, social interaction, and healthy risk-taking. But while challenge and adventure are essential to play, serious and preventable injuries are not. This is where NZS 5828:2015 – Playground Equipment and Surfacing plays a critical role. What Is NZS 5828 and Why Does It Matter? NZS 5828 is New Zealand’s recognised playground safety standard. It provides clear, evidence-based requir

A Hidden but Serious Risk Outdoor play areas should encourage curiosity, movement, and confidence. But some of the most serious injuries in children’s environments don’t come from falls or climbing—they come from pinch, crush, and shear points hidden in everyday features such as gates, doors, hatches, and storage lids. A recent incident in Rotorua highlights just how severe these risks can be. NZ Herald: The Rotorua 3-year-old’s fingertip was flattened between two pieces of

A Call for National Consistency in New Zealand Playgrounds are purpose-built environments for children. They are designed to support physical development, confidence, social interaction, and imaginative play—often for our most vulnerable age groups. Because of this, playgrounds are rightly held to a higher safety expectation than many other public spaces. One risk that continues to cause confusion, inconsistency, and preventable harm across New Zealand is the presence of dogs

Introduction: The Department for Children, Schools, and Families in the UK commissioned an independent evaluation of the national investment in local play provision. They conducted qualitative research in seven recently improved play areas. The findings, although not fully representative, offer valuable insights into the impact of these enhancements on children, parents, and local authorities. Key Findings: Positive Responses to Improvements: Parents and children expressed po

Introduction: Children are natural explorers, engaging in play wherever they find themselves, whether indoors or outdoors. Their play spaces range from homes and schools to public areas and private places they frequent with friends or adults. This article delves into the various outdoor play spaces children use and how these spaces influence their development. Factors Influencing Where Children Play: The choice of play spaces for children is influenced by a myriad of factors,

All play equipment from which a child could fall a distance greater than 600mm should be provided with an appropriate Impact Absorbing Surfa

Issues and Potential Solutions: Enhancing Safety for Supervised Early Childhood Services. Introduction: Play structures play a crucial role in the physical and cognitive development of young children. For Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, the design and safety considerations of dynamic play equipment, such as Flexible Bridges, are of paramount importance. This document outlines the typical issues associated with Flexible type Bridges in relation to ECE, providing safe

Playgrounds can pose risks and potential hazards that can lead to injuries. This is why playground supervision is critical in ensuring children's safety while they play. The importance of playground supervision is recognized in the European standard EN1176 and the New Zealand standard NZS5828. Both standards have been developed with full recognition of the need for supervision of young children and of those who may be less able or less competent. By providing proper supervisi

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can occur when the head is hit, shaken, or jolted. It can cause temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, headache, dizziness, and other symptoms. Children are especially vulnerable to concussions because their brains are still developing and they may not be able to recognize the symptoms. According (USA CDC), around 283,000 children are treated in emergency departments for sports and recreation-related traumatic brain i

Despite the fact that helmets can greatly reduce the risk of head injury during a fall, it is not advisable for children to wear them when playing on playgrounds or climbing trees. This is because wearing a helmet on playground equipment can pose a hidden danger of strangulation. While playground safety standards aim to minimize the risk of injury, they do not account for the potential risks associated with helmet use, such as children with enlarged heads or hydrocephalus. He

Following recent cyclones and flooding, many playgrounds, play areas, or sandpits have suffered damage, which could pose new hazards and concerns. Restoring safe and functional playgrounds is essential to resume safe play for children and their families. Here are some considerations and possible solutions to help you after extreme weather events: Inspecting Surfacing: Start by removing any hazards like branches or debris that may have blown or washed in during the storm. Rins

Learn why playground signage is essential for safety and compliance. Discover NZS 5828 / EN 1176 requirements, recommended content, placement tips, and Playsafe’s expert guidance.

Playground accidents can be a source of worry for parents, as they can result in serious injuries or even death. In the United States, the indication is over 200,000 children require emergency room care each year due to playground-related injuries, with falls being the cause of nearly 80% of all injuries. Playground injury studies and recent statistics from the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation suggest that between 7000 to 10,000 Kiwi kids end up injured due to p

Playgrounds are a great place for children to have fun, explore, and build their physical and social skills. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards to ensure that playtime is safe for every child. The following are essential protocols for parents and caregivers to ensure your children Play Safer at your next playground visit! Check the Equipment - Before letting children play, take a moment to inspect the equipment and make sure it’s in good condition. C

As parents, we all want our children to explore and enjoy the great outdoors, but we also want them to be safe while doing so. Unfortunately, slips, trips, and stumbles are all too common in the outdoor play environment and can result in serious injuries. However, there are things you can do to minimize these risks without inhibiting your child's natural curiosity and exploration. One of the reasons children are more prone to slips, trips, and stumbles is that their legs are

When it comes to playgrounds and specificlly pre-school centres, safety should always be the top priority. This includes ensuring that the environment is free from any potential hazards, including harmful plants. While plants can provide a lot of benefits, such as improving air quality and creating a calming atmosphere, some plants can be dangerous, especially to young children who may be more vulnerable. Some plants can cause skin irritation, poisoning, or allergic reactions

Sand pits within play areas. The Ministry of Education's Early Childhood facilities licensing framework includes a requirement for "Constructive Play" elements, which can include sand play or sandpits. While there are no mandatory regulations for sandpits, there is a significant amount of literature available that provides guidance and recommendations from the education sector. Sand - outdoors should contain an assortment of: sandpit and cover shade in summer tap/hose for wat

Playgrounds are essential spaces for childhood development. They support physical coordination, problem-solving, risk awareness, confidence, and social interaction. Falls, bumps, and scrapes are a normal part of play—but serious injuries are not. When they occur, one question almost always follows: Who is legally responsible? The Short Answer: The Play Area Owner In New Zealand, the owner or operator of a playground carries a legal duty of care. This applies to councils, scho

Softfall surfacing plays a critical role in keeping children safe in Early Childhood Education (ECE) outdoor play environments. Whether it’s synthetic turf, wet-pour rubber, tiles, or rubber mulch systems, these surfaces are designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of serious injury when children fall—something that happens every day as part of active, exploratory play. Because young children are still developing balance, coordination, and spatial awareness, falls are ex

Playgrounds are designed to challenge, engage, and develop children — but they must also be safe and compliant. One of the most serious and often overlooked risks in playgrounds is entrapment — where a child’s head, neck, finger, or body becomes stuck in equipment. This is where playground inspection probes play a critical role. What is playground entrapment? Entrapment occurs when a child becomes physically stuck in part of a playground structure and cannot free themselves.

What NZS 5828 Really Means for Your Service For Early Childhood Education (ECE) owners and operators, the outdoor play environment is more than just a place for fun—it’s a licensed, regulated space where safety, supervision, and learning intersect. Ensuring this environment is safe, compliant, and defensible is a core responsibility under New Zealand law and licensing requirements. Understanding NZS 5828 in an ECE Context NZS 5828 is the New Zealand Standard for playground eq