In our efforts to bring you everything pertaining to the outdoors we felt it only right to talk about protecting those things you keep indoors.
Previously we discussed lighting up those dark places and knowing your neighbors.
Today we’re going to talk about fences.
There are about as many different styles of fences as there are styles of houses.
Some are security, some are for looks, and some are for privacy.
We’re going to talk about security fences. Most are going to be made out of metal of some sort, whether it is wrought iron, chain link or just a hog wire fence these offer security in the fact that they let you see what is on the other side. Remember the keyword here is “see”. In security visibility is more important than invisibility.
You want to be able to see anyone that approaches and you want them to know that you can see them.
The most common fence around houses is the chain link these are easily installed, come in varying heights, and offer great visibility. Plus they are really good at keeping your dog in. We’ll discuss dogs later.
Granted any one that really wants in can still get through a chain link fence, but it is going to take them a little time. As they will have to climb over, cut through, dig under or undo the wiring to get in.
No fence is going to stop anyone serious about getting inside, but you don’t have to stop them. You just have to slow them down enough to make them decide that you’re not worth the effort.
Most burglars want to be in and out of a house in under ten minutes, taking what they can carry easily and pawn quickly. Notice I said most.
When installing your chain link fence make sure that the post are set in concrete, this makes the fence harder to uproot. If you want security go for a fence that is at least six feet high, although eight feet is better.
Don’t use the standard chain link fence gate, these are very easy to warp and knock loose.
Not only that but your dog can wedge his way out of them due to the way these gates latch.
You can go to your local farm supply store and get a good metal gate and attach some chain link wire to it using sheet metal screw or if you have someone that can weld galvanized metal they can weld the chain link to it, or you might actually be able to find a gate that is built to keep smaller animals in and then you won’t have to worry about it.
Either way always remember a fence is only as strong as it’s weakest chain link. (you should have smiled at that pun).
Wooden privacy fences although nice, really do not offer much in the line of security, as they hamper visibility, making it easy for some one to hide on the other side and ambush you.
Picket fences although pretty offer nothing in the line of security as most can be jumped over pretty easily.
My favorite fence is the one that is stone up to about two feet and then wrought iron up to about eight feet.
although someone can very easily lay down and hide on the other side of the stone. But the stone and wrought iron are very hard to get through, and a wrought iron gate with proper latching mechanisms are very hard to get through.
Remember no lock, no fence, no door is going to stop someone from gaining access to your belongings, the best deterrent is knowledge. Knowing that no burglars want to get caught, so they are less likely to hit a house in which they can be seen
Next time we talk about Alarm Systems.