If you are looking for a way to keep your home safe, then you need to make sure that you rely on advanced security systems. At the same time, when you are installing security cameras outside home, you need to make sure that you have a strong security setup that will provide you with comprehensive protection. Take a look at these tips below and make sure that you install your security cameras outside like a pro!
1. Place the Cameras in the Right Spots for Your Viewing Area
Of course, the first thing you need to think about is where your cameras are going to be placed and what areas they are going to capture. For example, you might want to place your security cameras above key doors and windows where someone might try to sneak into the home. On the other hand, if you place cameras at the corners of your buildings, then you might create blind spots that will limit the views of your cameras.
2. Start with the Front Door
The first place that you need to place a security camera is the front door. Sure, it might seem like a burglar is never going to come in through the front door; however, too many people leave their front door unlocked, making the job easy for burglars. Furthermore, if you have smart home security systems, then you can use the front door camera to not only see who is coming to your home but also monitor packages that might be left on your front door.
3. Think About the Lighting
Sure, you can place your cameras in what you deem the perfect position; however, if the lighting is not strong, then you are going to have a hard time seeing what is going on. Therefore, make sure that you think about the lighting carefully before you start placing cameras. The camera has to be able to spot identifying details, such as facial features, clothing, and tattoos.
4. Monitor Hidden Entry Points
When you are trying to install security cameras outside home, you need to monitor hidden entry points as well. For example, people who are trying to break into homes will often use back doors, basement windows, back windows, and other locations to break into buildings. Therefore, make sure that your cameras are going to be positioned to view these areas closely.
5. Don’t Forget About the Garage
There are lots of people who store valuable items in their garages. This might include cars, electronics, and other expensive pieces of equipment. Therefore, make sure to cover these areas with security cameras as well. Particularly for homes where the garage is not attached to the main building, this can be a serious issue and is commonly overlooked.
6. Use the Right Security Cameras
It’s important to make sure you use the right security cameras for the task. Sure, you have probably heard about PTZ cameras (which stand for pan, tilt, and zoom) but these cameras have a lot of moving parts. Even though they have the ability to move, they still need someone controlling them to maximize their use. Unless there is someone sitting at the desk controlling them, their utility is going to be limited. Therefore, think about using a fixed, wide-angle camera that is going to capture a large field of view.
If you want to invest in advanced security cameras, then it might be better to go with smart home security cameras. These are going to be much more effective and will do the job without requiring a security officer monitoring them constantly.
7. Hide the Cables Appropriately
Many security cameras are going to come with cables that you will need to protect. A professional security tech is going to hide the cable in the conduit. This will make it harder to sever. Remember that someone who is trying to break in might try to sever the cable. Furthermore, you can accidentally sever the cable during yard work. Do not let this happen.
8. Secure the Equipment Appropriately
In addition to thinking about the physical protection of your security cameras, you need to make sure that you think about cyber attacks as well. If you have smart home cameras, then you need to keep in mind that these cameras are connected to the internet. Therefore, they need to be protected appropriately. Some of the tips to keep in mind when securing these cameras virtually include:
- Change the factory default passwords as soon as they are installed
- Make sure to rotate the passwords on a regular basis to make them harder to hijack
- If possible, employ two-factor authentication when it comes to accessing video footage, meaning that there should be an additional layer of security on top of the password
These tips will help you protect your cameras from being hijacked
9. Consider Video Retrieval
You need to think about how your video is going to be stored and retrieved. Are you going to use cloud storage or a hard drive? Is it big enough to hold your videos? Consider this as you are installing your cameras. You might need to give the police a video file.
10. Ask Professionals To Help You
Finally, you need to make sure you seek professional help with installing security cameras outside home. At ONIT Smart Home, we help our customers take action by providing products and advanced technology to help with home security. And when you choose a company like ONIT, you get to enjoy professional installation. That means you can trust your security cameras are properly installed in the best locations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!