The Best Places for Security Cameras in Your Home
You have done your research, asked the right people, and taken the home security plunge into residential security cameras, but where do you put them? Deciding where to put security cameras in your home can be stressful. Investing in home security just to not get the optimal function out of them would be a shame. Our home security services experts in Myrtle Beach have compiled a master list of the best places to put security cameras in your home.
Front Door and Back Door
To ensure that you know the comings and goings of those in your home, it’s important to place cameras in the most obvious place: the front and back doors. Not only will it help you monitor the day-to-day of your home, but it will also catch any suspicious activity or porch pirates. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 34% of burglars use the front door, and 22% use the back door. Knowing this, security cameras at both the front and back doors could also work as a deterrent to burglars. Having cameras at both places helps with the mundane areas of life as well as protecting you against the threat of burglary.
Main Hallways or the Stairways
Any heavily trafficked area of your home is a good spot for a security camera. Having a camera at a centralized location makes sure that even if someone breaks into your home in an unmonitored area they will still have to move through that area to get to the rest of the house, ensuring that you’ll catch them on camera.
Make sure though not to place cameras in bathrooms or bedrooms for privacy’s sake.
Common Areas
In keeping with the theme of centralized locations, common areas of your home are also good spots for residential security cameras. Living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, etc. are all appropriate places for monitoring, not just for security reasons, but personal reasons as well. Being able to check in on your family while at work or away to make sure all is well and things are going the way they’re supposed to will give you peace of mind.
Driveway
Security cameras in your driveway allow seeing if anyone is trying to use them to sneak into your home and also to keep an eye on your vehicles. Car break-ins are relatively common in suburban neighborhoods and have unfortunately been on the rise, so a security camera will help deter thieves or catch them on camera.
Yard
Similarly to your driveway, thieves may try and sneak through your yard to get to your home. Security cameras here will also help you monitor kids, animals, or potential trespassing.
If you do decide to place a camera in your yard or driveway, it’s important to ensure that you are not invading the privacy of your neighbors. Make sure that the view you have from your camera does not include a neighbor’s yard or home.
Garages or Sheds
To protect any vehicles or other tools you may have, consider cameras in your garage or detached buildings. If you’re worried about WiFi access to those buildings, get a range extender or explore security cameras that don’t require a WiFi connection.
What Next
Once you have decided where to place your cameras, consider these guidelines to ensure picture quality and optimal camera performance.
For outdoor security cameras, make sure they are 8 to 10 feet off the ground and protected from the elements. Avoid pointing the camera towards the sun or placing it in direct sunlight. Not only could heat do damage to the camera, but glare can distort the image and make it hard to see. Also, remember to clean your outdoor cameras to maintain image quality.
For indoor home security cameras, avoid pointing towards or through a window as the reflection or glare can cause image issues. Corners are usually a good spot for cameras because it gives you the best vantage point and keeps them out of direct light which could wash out your footage and obscure your view.
The last few things to consider are the visibility of your camera, how many you want, and whether or not to have them professionally installed. If you want to hide the cameras or make them visible, it is completely up to you. More cameras mean more vision, but it also means more strain on your WiFi and a potential for a decrease in internet speed. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of more cameras on your WiFi to find the right balance for you.
While some security cameras come with instructions for how to self-install, it’s never a bad idea to consult your local home security experts who will be able to provide you with the best security solutions. To explore home security services in Myrtle Beach, call us today!