12
Apr
2015
By Calvin at 13:07 GMT, 9 years ago
I had an email from Harry today asking me if it’s illegal to put carpet gripper on top of a fence. I get asked this all the time, so here’s my answer.....
Don’t use carpet gripper on your fence as it’s not designed for such use and would not stop a burglar climbing your fence (they simply put a coat over the top of it). If you want to stop cats getting into your garden (good luck with that) then you could consider using an ‘uncomfortable’ topping, such as prikka-strip, which has been designed to deter cats from walking along fences. The product has been designed to be uncomfortable more than injurious, but even then the company who make it are responsible enough to supply it with warning signs telling people not to attempt to climb (for use on both sides of the fence).
I’ve got whole section on my website about the law and fencing and you should take note of what it says. Putting it simply; you have a responsibility to people who access your property, whether they are there legally or not. This is why you shouldn’t set man-traps or hide carpet gripper behind the top edge of your fence! Imagine a young child wanting to retrieve his football from your garden. You’re out for the day, so he decides to climb your fence. I know this is wrong, but the child’s 6 years old. As he climbs over he cuts his wrist open on the caret gripper. Panic then ensues as the mother and father rush the lad off to the hospital for stitches. Then the letter from the lawyer arrives!
It’s just not worth it and carpet gripper doesn’t work anyway. I don’t know who first came up with the idea of using it, but this person’s stupid advice has probably got a number of people in trouble with the law.
Trellis and prickly shrubs is the best way to do it, or, if you’ve got a palisade fence or maybe a close-boarded fence, then a shark tooth cut on the top would help.
Home security is all about a combination of measures working together – decent fences, secured garden outbuildings, properly secured and locked doors and windows, a sensible level of illumination and identifying marks on your property, topped off with an intruder alarm. Carpet gripper is for carpets, not for fences!
I shall now go back to my gardening...
Prikka-Strip http://www.prikka-strip.com/
