Camera Considerations: Tips For Creating The Right Home Surveillance System
If you're in the market for a security system for your house, one of the things you should consider is a full video surveillance system. Before you invest in any video equipment, though, it's important that you understand exactly what your property needs for proper security coverage. Here's a look at some suggestions to help you map out your video camera placement.
Sketch it Out
In order to effectively evaluate your property, the best place to start is to sketch out the floor plan of the house and the yard outside. Consider doing this with a computerized drawing program so that you can create a plan that's close to scale. The sketch gives you the opportunity to look at the coverage of cameras to make sure that you don't end up with any blind spots.
Make Placement A Priority
Once you have the sketch completed, mark areas where you want to put cameras. Then, you can highlight the coverage range of each camera with highlights. This shows you a clear visual picture of what areas are going to be captured by each camera. If you have blind spots, consider whether they pose a concern. For example, a blind spot by a door is a bigger concern than a blind spot in a corner where the rest of the room is visible.
The placement of the cameras should be a top priority. After all, you can invest in more cameras than you could ever use, but they won't help if they aren't pointed in the areas where people are likely to be. Here's a look at some of the things you should consider as you position your cameras:
Identifying Visitors
It's always best to have video footage of your entryways, including the front walk, your front door, and any other exterior doorways. By aiming cameras directly at these areas, you'll be able to get clear pictures of each person as they arrive at your home. And, if someone should break into your house through one of those doors, you'll get an easily identifiable image of them as they come in.
Monitoring Regular Activities
Another thing to consider is the ability to keep an eye on other parts of the house. The more of your home you cover with cameras, the fewer questions there will be if something happens. Consider putting a camera at the head of each hallway. That way, you can capture any traffic in the hallways. Do the same with any other high-traffic parts of the house. The more footage you get, the easier it will be to prosecute someone if they break in.
Cover the Outside
After covering all of the key areas inside your house, it's time to focus on the outside. Walk around the outside of your house and look for areas that aren't easily visible from the road. These are the spots you want to cover with cameras. Place surveillance cameras around your outer perimeter, targeting these less-traveled sections so that you capture anything that occurs out there as well. Not only is this helpful for potential burglaries, but it's also great if you have an injury claim and you're facing a significant expense on your homeowners insurance. The footage may give you evidence if the accident didn't happen as it was claimed.
Ultimately, your home security and surveillance system should bring you peace of mind. When you are confident that all of the important areas are covered, you can rest easier and be sure that your home is safe. Talk with your home security systems professional about these tips to choose the cameras that are right for your needs.