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Place security cameras in lower-level areas vulnerable to break-ins.
Dome security cameras are your best bet for blindspot coverage.
Legally, you cannot place cameras in areas where people expect privacy.
Let's get real here. Your home is your sanctuary, and it helps to have cameras, those vigilant technological guardians, keeping watch. Knowing where to place security cameras is crucial if you are looking for maximum impact. Here, we share tips and more for fortifying your abode with these watchful gadgets.
Some spots in your home for where to place home security cameras provide better access to vantage points than others. This can keep you safer while also reducing the amount of cameras you'll need to purchase. Special considerations should also be made for motion-detection cameras. One of the best home security tips is to picture the route an intruder would take when stalking or entering your home. Here's a look at spots to prioritize.
Whether you want a doorbell security camera or an over-the-door camera, keeping eye on your front door is a must. This is also a smart option for simply monitoring when guests arrive or confirming package deliveries. Use these tips for proper placement:
Position the camera at eye level to capture facial features.
Consider using a visible wired camera at the front door to let would-be intruders know that your home is being monitored.
Remove any shrubbery or vegetation that obscures figures on your front porch or walkway. Coverage could allow an unwanted visitor to sneak up on your door without being caught on camera.
Most security cameras placed at a front door won't also cover the driveway. Be sure to set up a camera in a garage, shed, or other area overlooking the driveway to monitor vehicles coming and going. This can be essential for capturing license plates. If you park your cars outside, this also protects your own vehicles from theft or vandalism.
As an intruder navigates your home, they're likely to use hallways and staircases to get from room to room. Placing cameras to capture activity in hallways or around staircases allows you to track an intruder's path through your home. This can be critical for proving that items located in specific parts of your home were stolen.
Dedicate cameras to any areas in your home where you store high-value items. This can be an area where you display expensive art or the spot where your safe is kept. If you keep firearms in your home, placing a camera on your firearms storage safe can be important for confirming theft when filing a police report. Your home insurance company might actually provide you with a discount on your premiums if you monitor high-value items in your home.
In reality, intruders aren't likely to use the front door. That's why it's important to monitor side entrances. Consider surveilling the following vulnerable points:
Basement doors
Front garage doors
Side garage entry door
Doors leading to the deck or patio
Doors leading to a side porch or breezeway
Large first-floor windows that are easy to crawl into
Your kitchen, living room, or great room should have camera coverage. As part of the main living portion of your home, these areas are likely to be targeted by thieves and intruders. Additionally, this is probably where you keep your television, computers, and other high-value electronics.
Ensure cameras are at an appropriate height and angle for clear views. For instance, you want to be able to capture faces, not just torsos or feet.
Installing security cameras high up, for instance, indoors near the ceiling and angled downward, serves two essential purposes. Firstly, it helps to maximize the camera's field of view, ensuring broader coverage. Secondly, elevated placement helps safeguard the camera from tampering or vandalism, making it less accessible to potential intruders. This strategic positioning enhances surveillance and the security of the camera itself.
Avoiding direct sunlight when positioning your security cameras is crucial to prevent glare and hot spots that can compromise the quality of your footage. Direct light can also create reflections and overexposure, which makes seeing details in the video difficult. By placing cameras in shaded or indirect light areas, you can ensure precise and reliable surveillance even under varying lighting conditions.
Your home might have some tricky areas that are challenging to capture on camera. When that is the case, consider installing a dome security camera. They typically have wide-angle lenses that can capture a broader field of view, minimizing the risk of blind spots.
As you consider where to place home security cameras, it's also important to consider how they will perform once they're placed. It's important to pick a camera and hardware that will be compatible with your placement. Here are some things to remember.
Having a visible camera at your front door can be a smart deterrent. However, motivated burglars and intruders may not be stopped by fear of being recorded. In fact, visible cameras could actually backfire because some intruders might try to destroy them before entering. This means you'll be left without evidence of the crime. You'll need to make the call on whether you want to conceal or "advertise" security cameras at your home.
If you're placing cameras outside, only purchase outdoor cameras that can stand up to the weather. However, it's important to know that even weatherproof cameras still usually require a special cover that protects them from snow, rain, sleet, and moisture. Your climate also matters. Check any cameras you purchase for ingress protection (IP) ratings to see what's appropriate for moisture and dust levels where you live. If you're using a professional company that can help with how to install home security systems, the pros there will be able to recommend cameras that are appropriate for local weather.
If you're using wireless security cameras, it's important to assess how many cameras your current Wi-Fi speed can actually support. You may need to have a conversation with your Wi-Fi provider or a local security company for this one. If you're choosing between a monitored vs unmonitored home security system, a monitored system that's hardwired by a company can take away some of the dependence on having working, glitch-free Wi-Fi available.
While security cameras are a wise choice for enhancing safety, there are specific areas where their installation should be avoided—or you should think twice—to uphold privacy and comply with legal regulations.
Installing a security camera instead of a baby monitor in the nursery may be tempting. However, baby monitors have specialized features like temperature monitoring and lullabies prioritizing your baby's well-being.
It's your home, and you can install security cameras as you see fit. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that recording individuals without their consent in areas where they anticipate privacy is prohibited by law.
Avoid positioning cameras where they can capture your neighbors' private outdoor spaces, such as their backyards or patios. Also, familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations governing surveillance cameras. Some locations may have specific restrictions on camera placement, such as proximity to public parks.
One of the benefits of security cameras at home is that you'll know exactly what's happening on your property 24 hours a day. However, security cameras don't offer peace of mind if they're not reliable. Many of the DIY wireless security camera systems available today are prone to glitches. What's more, they are popular enough that most thieves can learn how to disable them simply by looking online. If taking chances with home security doesn't sit right with you, consider contacting local security camera installers. In addition to offering professional-level monitoring tools, these companies are pros at proper placement and installation.
While security hubs can streamline the management of security cameras, the placement of cameras itself is often determined by factors like your property layout, security objectives, and areas of concern.
Ultimately, the decision should align with your objectives. For general home security, visible cameras at entry points and high-traffic areas are recommended to deter intruders. In areas where privacy is a concern, use hidden cameras sparingly and within legal limits.
