When installing a home security system, one of the most important considerations is camera placement. After all, a camera can only help protect your home if it’s focused in on the right areas. For any home security installation, a professional will be able to show you where and how to place your cameras for the most benefit, so it’s a good idea to call in the pros. Here are some factors to consider as you work together to get the most out of your indoor/outdoor cameras.
Points of entry
Generally, thieves like to enter the house the same ways that you do — through the front and back doors — so they don’t draw attention to themselves. More than half of all break-ins occur at the standard points of entry, so front-door cameras are the most essential place to start.
The next most important locations to monitor are ground-level windows, especially those out of view of the street. Place cameras outside first-floor windows in the back and side yards for optimal protection. If you have a driveway, consider installing a driveway camera. It will help protect your vehicles as well as provide another chance to snag an image of the perpetrator.
Height and visibility
Outdoor home cameras should be placed up high — at least 9 feet up — to ensure that they’re out of reach of burglars. If you aren’t able to place them high enough (for instance, in a single-floor home), use camera covers to protect them from damage, vandalization, or even theft. (Some criminals will take the camera itself to re-sell it!) When possible, install the camera out of reach but in a highly visible location. Often, just the presence of the camera is enough to deter would-be crooks.
Consider the range of view as well. For instance, wide-angle cameras capture a large area, but they may not be well-suited to picking up finer details that can help identify trespassers. Narrower-angle, high-definition cameras may be best for more detailed images. Consider monitoring large areas like a front yard with wide-angle cameras and installing a more focused camera to monitor the doors. This will provide a wide view of the attempted entry, as well as a close-up of the criminal’s face to aid in identification.
In all cases, make sure that the cameras have adequate lighting or are equipped with night vision.
Interior locations
With indoor cameras, you can not only record footage of a perpetrator, but you can also capture images of your valuables, which comes extremely handy when filing insurance claims or police reports in the event of a break-in. High-definition cameras can capture images with enough detail to ID a suspect. Today’s cameras are so sleek that they can fit seamlessly into the style of your home. Place them on tabletops or bookshelves in any high-traffic room.
Choose interior cameras equipped with night vision, as burglaries can occur at any time of day or night.
Make cameras part of a full security system
For the ultimate home protection, cameras should be part of a full home security system with door and window sensors and 24/7 professional monitoring.
