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Use Electrified Fences
Growing To Combat Insecurity
Electrified fences are common in many
residential communities and private homes in
the Central Valley and farms around the
country and without any government
regulations as to their use or requirement
to post any signs or warnings.
These types of fences have been the scene or
several deaths in the last couple of months,
two in particular in rural areas, where by
accident the high voltage fences are
touched, causing death.
According to authorities, no permits are
required by either municipalities for any
state agency to erect an electrified fence,
a warning or the type of voltage and
amperage that can pass through the metal
wires.
The worrying part is that many of the
electrified fences are installed by persons
who have no knowledge of eletricity and are
not only placed on top of fences around a
residential property, but are now also
common in pastures in rural areas.
Electrified fences can be found in many
isolated areas of San Carlos, Guanacaste and
Puntarenas.
In urban areas where electrified fences are
used there sometimes is some warning sign.
However, the Ministerio Seguridad Pública
does not have any records of any such
installations.
María Luisa Ávila, the ministra de Salud
(Health ministry), explains that she could
not find any regulation governing
electrified fences. Nor can officals of the
Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) find any
such regulation.
Both public institutions are affected by the
damage to persons caused by electrified
fences.
Andrés Madrigal, medical director of the
Bomberos (fire department), told La Nación
in an interview that many of the electrified
fences are installed to kill, with up to
10.000 volts of current passing through the
wires.
"At that voltage, a person can get stuck to
a fence be be killed", said Madrigal.
Madrigal added that in some cases, the
installation includes a regulator box that
sends electricity in impulses, that would
reduce the person from being electrocuted.
"In these times of insecurity, they
(electric fences) are idea. When someone
touches the fence an alarm goes off. And it
is doubtful that anyone would be killed with
2.500 volts of electricity", explained
Madrigal.
So, when before touching a fence, look
around and look for a warning sign or signs
of electrification.
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