The protection of your family, your home and yourself will always remain a number one priority throughout your entire life. Every home is different but all deserve to be protected. In today’s market there are a number of great indoor and outdoor security cameras that you can self-install at home. However you’d be forgiven for thinking, “where do I install my home security cameras? Where shouldn’t I install them?”
You might possibly question whether you even need them. Security cameras are an excellent choice of tool to provide a sense of security within your home; especially when it comes to the fear of burglary, vandalism or theft. It is important to consider all aspects of your home security system as it’s effectiveness can ultimately be impacted by where you choose to place them.
The positioning of your security camera is just as important as actually having the camera in the first place. This is because it is going to determine how effective it is. Locations like the front door, back door and off-street windows are the most crucial places to ensure you have the correct security in place.
You may be shocked to know that in fact, 34% of burglars enter through the front door, so having a security camera positioned there is vital. It is recommended to mount the equipment at second floor level or to fit a wire cage around it to ensure it is not in a vulnerable place that can easily be destroyed by a criminal. By having a camera placed directly at the front of your house, it means you can keep a close eye on who exactly is going in and out. This could include family, friends, delivery men or tradesmen that may need to enter your home.
Any entrance into your home is, sadly, a potential way for a criminal to gain access into your property. This therefore means it is important to think about side doors too. People tend to head for the back or side doors due to them being out-of-sight which – more times than not – means they will be undetected. In the same way as you’d protect the front door, ensure that the camera is not in a place that can be easily broken by someone trying to enter – keep it high up and protected.
Not all windows face a busy main road. A hidden window or one out of sight is a goldmine for criminals – it decreases their chances of being caught as they are away from both cars and pedestrians. It is recommended that you point your camera to the off-street windows which will then help to ensure they are safe from both thieves and vandals. It is important not to neglect your windows – yes, cameras are an excellent choice of security – but as well as that, you need to ensure you are keeping them closed and locked when you are out.
Garages are an extremely common target for burglars as the entrance is typically weak. Valuables are more than likely kept somewhere in your garage; so by having a camera facing that way, it means you can keep an extra close eye on things like bikes, sports and gym equipment, cars and tools. If your garage is detached from your home then a camera is a simple and effective way to stay connected. Whereas if you have an attached garage then it is an extra layer of security and is able to monitor any other possible entry ways into your home.
When it comes to home security cameras, don’t feel you have to be limited to outside only. Yes, when it comes to indoor security there is always the downfall that they aren’t a visual deterrent and criminals have to enter your home in order to see them. However, it does mean that a camera can record anyone entering your home, which allows you to then retrieve a full image of their face making identification that bit easier. Placing your cameras in either a stairway or hallway means that even if they were to have originally come through a bedroom, bathroom or unmonitored area, you can still capture them moving around the property.
There are many beneficial places that a security camera can be, however there are some places that must be avoided:-
It is important that if you are considering security cameras, you are taking your neighbours’ privacy into careful consideration. Not only is this to avoid upsetting your neighbours but legally, it can also bring problems. For example, if your camera happened to capture an area where there is an expectation of privacy or if you use the footage for non-security purposes.
Your own privacy is just as important as everyone else’s. Yes, security in all areas is vital but it is best to keep security out of these two rooms Remember, sadly security systems can sometimes be hacked and footage easily retrieved. When it comes to a bathroom, there are not many things that a burglar will be interested in, unless of course soap is on their agenda! So there is little-to-no security risk in leaving the bathroom unmonitored.
Okay, so you have done the hard part and chosen exactly where you need these cameras to be placed, so it is now time to strategise how exactly you will install these security cameras to cover the intended areas.
There are a few things to keep in mind that will make your camera placement that little bit easier. The first being to place your cameras around 8-10 feet from the ground – this means they are low enough to capture evidence yet high enough to be completely out of reach. Keeping your cameras out of direct sunlight may sound like a given, however is often a common
mistake. When they are placed into the sun, it is going to cause a glare and high contrast in your footage – try to consider both the movement of the sun and angling your cameras for indirect light. Deciding whether or not you want them visible is also a crucial part of your camera’s placement as they can act as a deterrent and be used to warn off criminal activity.
First things first, use your corners. By placing your cameras in the corner, you are allowing for the best vantage point. Just like with the outdoors, lighting is vital. Ensure you are angling your cameras for indirect light. Otherwise you are going to find that your footage will be completely washed out – look out for lamps, light fixtures and bright windows.
Once you have secured the front door, back door and off-sight windows, you have then covered around 80% of the areas burglars use to break into your home. When it comes to installing your cameras, ensure you cover these areas and the garage to provide your home with a better sense of security. By identifying where you should and shouldn’t place security cameras, it brings into reality how important it is to ensure they’re installed correctly – it really helps to get the best out of your security system.
SecurePro is a leading provider of security services and crowd safety services for major events . As specialists in both residential and commercial CCTV, we’re available to have a confidential discussion with you today about how we can protect your property. Contact us now on 01384 378300 for more information!
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