Safety Tips to Ensure Your Electric Fence Remains Safe for You But Hostile for Intruders
One of South Africa’s most prominent concerns is our escalating crime rate. With 1,3 million house break-in reported between 2018 and 2019, the use of electrically powered fencing to secure property throughout South Africa has grown dramatically over the past five-years. But did you know that an unlicensed installation, repair job or modification is not only criminal, but it’s also dangerous to your family, your home, your neighbours, and outsiders passing by?
Many homeowners in South Africa do not realise that for their property sale to go through, to install a new electric fence, or to have their existing one repaired, they must receive an electrical certificate of compliance (COC) from a legitimate, licensed electrician.
Why Do You Need a COC from a Licensed Technician?
Whether you’d like to believe it or not, you can be held liable for any injuries to passers-by, and even burglars. The job of an electric fence is to deter burglars and trespassers from trying to enter your property, but if an animal, child or burglar gets caught in the wires, it can cause death – especially if the voltage is faulty.
While this security feature is super effective at keeping trespassers out, it can trigger shocks that can have dangerous outcomes, especially to people with heart conditions. Simply put, if your house burns down or a person is injured or killed due to faulty electrical fencing wiring, you face the risk of an insurance claim rejection, as well as the risk of paying for all injuries and damages.
Here are 13 tips to ensure your fence does not become a greater danger than it should be:
- Avoid head-to-wire contact.
- Install earth spikes every 30 meters.
- Clean insulators with household detergent annually to remove dirt and maintain the fence.
- Cut back shrubs, foliage, and trees regularly to prevent sensor interference.
- Check insulators and wires regularly, as damage can lead to a short circuit.
- Instruct all visitors and children to never touch the fence.
- Keep dry sticks and other flammable items far away from the fence line.
- Install a black and yellow sign that’s visible with the symbol of a hand touching a wire indicating flashes every 10 metres.
- Choose a registered, licensed technician backed by the Department of Labour (DOL).
- Invest in a backup battery to keep you protected during load-shedding.
- Add another layer of protection with a security alarm system and CCTV cameras.
- Inspect your fence while it’s raining to listen and see where the short is taking place.
- Spray pesticide under and around the fence to prevent weeds from interfering with the sensors.
Because of the hazards carried by the voltage of these powerful fences, only registered installers can install and repair them, which is why homeowners should always confirm the company and the electrician’s registration number. If you need electrified fencing installed, repaired or quoted on, contact Fix & Fit Security in Randburg, Johannesburg.