How did they get in? That is the most common question asked after burgled. That is among the other things that you will spend time wondering if you could have done better.
Could your home or place of business have been more securer? The world that we live in is not all roses and ponies.
Security is a concern as long as you have a door that you lock at night, loved ones to protect and belongings to keep safe. As such, this is an industry that has grown in leaps and bounds over the years.
Some security systems are more secure than others, and some are less of a good fit for different reasons. If there is a place through which someone can climb, it would be prudent to ensure that it is not easy to do.
Are anti-climb security spikes effective and legal? This is a question you may have as you consider using this method of security. In this article, we take a look at what this security system has to offer as well as what it entails in detail.
To know whether something is for you, you must understand what it can offer you. Let us dive in, shall we?
What are anti-climb security spikes?
Anti-climb spikes are a feature that prohibits someone from climbing over a wall or a fence. People usually put up walls and fences to protect their properties.
Yet, burglars can use these barriers to climb into the yard. And this is where spikes come in.
The anti-climb spikes are usually made of different materials. The placement depends on the style and design of the spikes.
Most companies make spikes that can be on top of walls. This makes it difficult for anyone to grab the top part of the wall, because of the spikes.
Do anti-climb spikes stop thieves and criminals from climbing the wall?
How effective spikes are, depends on what you are trying to keep out. You are most likely looking for a way to keep out thieves, and as such you want to know how effective the spikes will be. It is crucial to understand that the spikes do not mean the wall is now full proof, and no thief will be able to jump over it.
To stop people climbing over your wall means you need to get spikes that are difficult to weave through. You also want to make sure the spikes are durable enough so that they don’t bend if someone were to put a lot of weight on them.
Whilst the spikes are not full proof. They will slow down the process. For some, they will deter any perpetrators, whilst for others, they serve to slow them down.
This may also give you more time to get help. Also, the noise that may be made as they try to navigate through the spikes may help alert neighbours.
The placement of the spikes regulates how effective they are. They must be in such a manner that the wall is inaccessible and cannot be climbed.
You also want to make sure that it's secured to the wall or fence. This is so that there is no movement and the spikes are in place to serve their purpose.
The sharpness of spikes makes them an effective deterrent. That is if the intruders do not come to the party already prepared to deal with anti-climb spikes.
Various manufacturers make spikes and types of barbed wire that you can install on your wall. The type that you go with should be what keeps you and your family safe.
Are anti-climb spikes legal?
The legality of anti-climb spikes depends on your geographical location. The short answer is that anti-climb spikes are legal. For instance, in Australia, your fence will need to be at least of 2meteres in length for you to be able to put spikes on it.
You will also need a licensed installer to put in the spikes. You aren't allowed to do it yourself.
There are city and neighbourhood by-laws that will dictate the type of spikes that you get. Some by-laws dictate the length of the spikes and how they shouldn't go beyond a certain length. You may need to get your council's permission to erect any type of security topping.
Whilst personal security is a choice. You will need to know what laws to abide by.
If there is a large wall that you will need to adhere to, then you also need to consider the height of the spikes. Manufacturers ought to do their due diligence to make sure that their spikes are legal.
It is also up to the consumer to ensure that the spikes are up to code according to all laws in the area. To do this, you may need to read the fine print.
The laws put in place are so that there aren’t any unnecessary injuries. This is why it is necessary to have a warning sign on a wall that has spikes on it. The law protects everyone, including intruders, so it's important they have a warning.
This warning is to protect intruders from personal injury. But it also protects you as the property owner. If an intruder tries to climb over a wall, that has a warning sign on it, and they get hurt, it's on them.
You will save yourself a lot of issues with the law, by adhering to some of this small print.
Carpet grippers are where you may have a problem with the law. These are illegal to place, especially where someone might be putting their fingers.
Types of strips available.
Whilst there are many types of strips available, let us look at Prikka strips and Stega strips. Prikka strips are of polypropylene. They are usually picked out by property owners who don’t want to have conspicuous spikes.
After all, the aesthetic of your wall still matters. The spikes are short and hardly noticeable, that doesn't mean they're less effective.
Stega strips are of polypropylene which is also strong and durable. These are more durable and multi-directional. They are more conspicuous and will cut from different angles.
The blades rotate, and this makes it almost impossible to climb over a wall with these spikes. The fact that they are more conspicuous means that they may not look good on every wall.
The good thing about most types of spikes is that they can fit a wide variety of walls and fences. The compatibility of the wall and the spikes is key to getting a good match.
What determines the type of spikes that you use?
The spikes that you can use on your wall also need to be safe as much as they're put there as a deterrent for thieves. The safety aspect comes in that the spikes should never pose a danger to the public or your neighbours. Ensure that you know the by-laws in your neighbourhood so that you don’t have to make amendments.
Construction is also as significant as the direction of the spikes. This will also determine how effective the spikes will be.
Rotational spikes tend to be a tad more practical, as they can cut from different angles. This is not the case with one-directional spikes.
The other factor that may influence the type of spikes that you get is their weight. The spikes will need to be compatible with the fence or wall that you have. If the spikes are too heavy for the structure, it will not hold up.
Also, you want to check on how the spikes get fixed on the wall. If they get placed on top of the wall, you want to make sure that there is enough thickness there to hold them.
Final Thoughts
Anti-climb spikes are to keep you safe. Yet, they are an inanimate object that will hurt whoever tries to touch them. As such, you need to make sure that they are not a danger to the public or your neighbours.
It’s a fine line between the two. Always remember to check on your local regulations on fixing spikes onto your wall.
If you use anti-climb spikes, you need to make sure that you have a warning sign for the general public. We hope this article helps you decide on anti-climb spikes for your wall.
We recommend that spikes are effective ways of keeping people away. Happy shopping and stay safe!
About The Author
Reece Thompson: Reece has been involved in property in one way or another for the past 10 years. He's gained a lot of experience when it comes to the home, kitchen and garden. He shares his knowledge with enthusiasm and honesty.