According to statistics, in 2019, burglary victims suffered property losses totaling $3 billion. One of the commonly overlooked ways to protect your home is to choose the right security camera placement for your home.
Before deciding where to put a security camera, here are a few important things to consider.
Why Get Home Security Cameras?
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One of the most important reasons to install home security cameras is to be able to identify the perpetrator During a break-in.
Security cameras provide peace of mind because you can view them from anywhere. Also, you can always check in, so you’ll never wonder if your child is safe or if a break-in caused damage.
Things to Consider When Choosing Security Camera Placement
When choosing home security camera placement, consider every aspect of your situation. Here are 15 things you’ll want to think about.
Protect the Security Camera from the Weather
If you live in a place where it rains a lot, you should look for a waterproof or rainproof camera. Also, make sure the image quality is good enough to see what’s happening when it’s raining or snowing.
If you live in a storm-prone area, mount your cameras higher so they won’t get hit by branches or other objects. Also, make sure that the security wires that connect them aren’t showing. Hide them behind drywall or in conduit pipes.
If you live where it snows a lot, you might want to put your cameras on the ceiling instead of on the wall. This way, water damage won’t affect them because they’re above ground.
Clear Away Anything That Might Block the Security Camera
Trees and tall buildings block the sun at certain times of the day. The security camera placement should allow for getting as many details as possible.
You may need to consider trimming these plants before placing your camera or moving them out of the way. Place security cameras in areas where they can capture as much activity as possible. But, of course, the best place for them to see what’s happening is where they can peer over any bushes or trees.
Place Security Cameras High to Avoid Tampering
You want the cameras high enough that others can’t tamper or disable them. As a general guideline, keeping them at least 10 feet off the ground is a good idea.
Consider placing them in tree branches or on rooftops instead if this isn’t possible. Make sure you have a wide-angle lens on your camera to capture everything happening in front of it. This will help you notice if anyone tries to tamper with the camera.
Choose an Area With a Good Range of Vision
The range of your camera will play a big role in where you put it. The farther away the camera is from the action, the more likely it is to miss important details. Make sure your security camera is set up to see the entry point and record any movement.
Opt for a Wide Angle Feature
If using a security camera, the view must be wide enough to capture everything around your home. A camera with a wide-angle lens can see more of what’s going on in front of it than one with a narrow lens.
Also, a wide-angle lens gives you more flexibility in placing the camera. You won’t have to worry about blocking people’s views or being too far away.
The wider the coverage, the easier it is to see more of what’s going on around you and identify people and things. For example, a 120-degree camera can see more than one person from any angle, but an 80-degree camera can only see one.
Your needs and preferences will determine how much coverage you need. So, if you want to keep an eye on a large area with many people coming and going, you’ll need a wide field of view. If you want to watch your front door while at work or running errands, you may want a 50-degree camera.
Make Your Choice Based on the Camera’s Mounting Options
The type of mount you choose will depend on how big your home is and where you want to put the cameras. If you only have a single camera, using a wall mount is fine. But, a ceiling mount can help more than three cameras cover more ground.
Figure Out Your Home Security Camera Positioning Based on Your House Layout
Make sure that your camera is in a spot that gives you a clear view of any windows or doors. For example, if your driveway to your house is long, put your camera at the end of the driveway or path.
You’ll be able to see who’s coming before they get close enough for you to recognize them. If not, try putting it on an outside wall near a door or window that isn’t locked where someone could enter or leave.
Pick a Place With Enough Light
A security camera can only take good pictures of your home if there is enough light. But if it’s too bright, it might be hard for the camera to tell the difference between things and shadows. This also makes the video quality bad.
If you have bright lights, you may be able to get away with using a less expensive camera with a lower resolution. But, you may need more powerful cameras with dark corners and little natural light.
Think About Your Security Camera Wiring Needs
Make sure the camera has enough power and a good connection to other devices. You may need extra wires depending on your home’s power supply and camera location.
You want the wiring from your security cameras to be strong and reliable but not too obvious. Make sure the wiring doesn’t affect anything else or cause safety issues.
Try to bury your wires if you have a lot of landscaping or other outdoor features open to the weather. Run them along walls and fences instead of across open spaces whenever you can.
You should also be aware of any other wires close to where you want to put your surveillance equipment. If there are power lines nearby, then put only one set there.
Pay Attention to Your Entry Points
If you want to put your home security camera in the best place, you must think about a few things. First, you should think about where people can get in. Through entry points, criminals can enter your home or building undetected.
To find the best place for your camera, you should look for a place with many entrances and lots of natural light. If this area is dark, criminals can hide in the shadows when they break into your home or building.
You should put cameras at all your home’s entrances and exits. This includes doors, windows, garage doors, and any other way. Someone could get in without setting off an alarm or telling a neighbor.
Think about where you want to put your camera and where people can get into your home. Choose a spot with good light and easy battery access if you can choose where the front door is.
Consider the Area’s Activity Level
When deciding where to put your cameras, think about how busy your home is. Consider placing cameras near entrances or paths if many people enter and exit your home. Anyone who tries to rob you while away won’t have time to hide before getting caught.
If there is plenty of activity at your home, you might want to install more than one camera to keep an eye on everything. Then, you’ll see who was there and what they did while they were there. However, most of the time, one camera is all that’s needed to keep an eye on a single door or window.
Find Out Where There Is the Most Need for Surveillance
You should decide if you need cameras with day/night vision and how many of them you need. Then, if you want to see what’s happening day and night, get both kinds of cameras and place them.
First, you’ll have to figure out how much surveillance you need. For example, do you want to know who comes and goes from your house? If so, a simple motion detector might not be enough. Also, front and back doors and other high-traffic areas may need surveillance cameras.
Are there any special things that make your home more at risk? Or, are the homes in your area often broken into, or do you have plenty of valuable things in your home? Think about these things as you decide where to put your security camera.
Consider the Deterrence Value You Need
How important are watching and putting people off? Putting cameras near doors or windows can help stop people from breaking in. Placing cameras in hallways and doors can help you track burglars as they move through the house.
It’s important to consider how much a security camera will scare people away when placing it. The camera’s deterrent value determines whether it will scare an intruder. For example, consider whether delivery drivers can see a camera outside your door or if it will blend in.
Determine Whether to Put the Camera Inside or Outside
Whether you put the camera inside or outside has its pros and cons. Outdoor cameras are cheaper and have better image quality. You can use them in any weather to check your home.
A security camera on the outside can see more than one room at once, giving you better coverage. It does have some problems, though.
Bad weather can make it hard to see or record. Unwanted visitors can also steal from an outside camera, though not as much as from inside.
But, if you want to see what’s going on outside your home, you will need an indoor camera. If you choose inside placement, a few things will influence your choice.
If your home has many entrances and you want to check them all at once, you may want to put a camera near each one. If all entrances have motion sensors, cameras near windows could increase coverage. They are also excellent if you have pets or small children who might be able to get into places you don’t want them to.
The problem with an inside camera is that it can only watch one area at a time. This means that you get less coverage. If something happens in a different part of the house, you won’t know about it until it’s too late.
Research Privacy Concerns and the Rules
If a security camera can see nearby people or objects, move it higher or to a different location. People filmed without their knowledge will feel less uncomfortable or bothered by this.
There are surveillance laws in many states that say how long you can keep video footage on file. This varies from place to place and crime to crime, like a traffic violation versus murder. Before installing cameras, check with local surveillance laws.
Best Locations for Home Security Equipment Placement
The location of your home security cameras is one of the most important decisions you can make when setting up a home surveillance system. If you don’t have cameras strategically placed, you won’t be able to see everything that’s going on in your yard or home. In addition, intruders will most likely get caught if you’re strategic with your home security camera positioning.
The following are the best locations to consider when installing security cameras in your home:
Hallways
The areas of your home with the most foot traffic are also the most vulnerable, making hallways prime targets for burglars. Having security cameras installed in hallways can help keep an eye on people coming and going from different rooms.
Hallways are usually wide enough for the camera for a security system installation on a high shelf or even mounted on the wall. In addition, they are well-lit, making it easier for security cameras to capture low-light images. If necessary, you can place multiple cameras in a single hallway so that they can all view different angles of the space.
However, you mustn’t put too high or low cameras on the wall. The ideal height for the security camera is just above eye level. So, if someone tries to break in, they will have to look right at the camera as they walk down your hallway.
Living Room
If you want to keep an eye on what’s going on in your living room at all times, this is the best way to do it. The ability to monitor your children’s activities while playing will give you peace of mind that they are safe even when you are not present.
It’s critical to have a camera that covers all angles since this is where most break-ins occur. When guests arrive at your home, the living room is often the first place they’ll look. It is often considered a more public space than others, which means more room for strangers and guests passing through.
Windows
Windows are the most common way for burglars to access your home. Make sure you have an alarm system with window sensors and cameras that can detect if any windows are being opened.
You can also use them as a great location for placing your security cameras because they give you a complete view of what is going on outside of your home. For example, if someone were to break into your home through a window, you would see them doing so on the camera.
Porch
The porch is a great location because it’s easy to get to but still hidden from view. It also has plenty of space to put the equipment you need.
The porch is the most common entry point for burglars. Therefore, considering the porch as a place for security camera installation will allow you to see guests at the door prior to allowing them in and give you enough time to call the police. It also gives you a good view of anyone approaching your door, and if someone tries to break in, they’ll show up on camera.
Suppose an open area around your porch isn’t visible inside or outside your house, such as bushes. In that case, this area could be a good location for home security equipment placement. It will provide visibility around your property’s perimeter while monitoring anything outside near entrances or windows.
The home security camera positioning could be on your front porch or the back porch. Also, you will want to place them where they are easy to access and operate but out of sight of passersby.
Front Door
Because the front door is your home’s first line of defense, it’s critical that it’s secure. It is one of the first things people see when visiting your home. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most vulnerable areas of your home to break-ins and burglaries. Therefore, security camera installation on your front door is so important.
Installing security cameras on your front door makes it easy for you to identify anyone near your home. The most common area to mount your camera is at eye level. But, if you live in an area with many trees or other obstacles, it may be better to choose a home security equipment placement lower than that.
Back Door
The back door is another popular place for installing security cameras. It leads directly into the backyard, making it accessible for intruders trying to sneak into your house through an open window or door.
It’s important to know your home security camera positioning. Even if burglary isn’t a problem for you, consider security system installation, especially with a motion sensor feature. Then, you will know if someone tries to open or close this door at night while everyone else is sleeping.
In addition, burglars may try to sneak in through the backdoor if they see an unlocked front door or know it has an alarm system attached to it. By installing cameras at both entrances, you’ll be able to see if someone enters through either door and then alert the police if necessary.
Garage
Whether you’re looking for a way to keep track of your car, or you want to be able to see when someone is at the door, installing security cameras in your garage is a great way to provide peace of mind and increase convenience. In addition, burglars often look for tools like hammers or crowbars that they can use as weapons during break-ins. So, making sure there aren’t any lying around will help keep them away from your house altogether.
Driveway
When you have a driveway, it may be necessary to install security cameras. This is because the driveway is often where people can easily access your home.
If you live in a neighborhood where crimes happen often, you should put a camera on your driveway. You will be able to see who is coming onto your property, which can help you protect yourself against intruders. They may feel free to break into your home or vehicle if they do not see any cameras.
Security Cameras Can Help You Protect Your Home
Security camera placement at the right location can increase your peace of mind.
Too much to handle? Our home security Experts are here to help. Schedule a free appointment today and have our team study your home and recommend the best surveillance system options.
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