How to Set Up Security Cameras and Avoid Common Mistakes


 

Have you ever been home alone and you felt like someone else might be there too? You just can't shake the feeling that some strange person has gained entry and that you're going to be attacked any time. Yeah, I feel that in my home too, all the time and I'm sick of it.

Despite how society and technology have changed in recent decades, there are still burglaries that happen on a daily basis around the world. Sometimes these are urged on by desperation but there are those looking to stir trouble and a little bit of quick cash. 

But the good thing now is that we can fight back, or step up our defences. We're seeing that security and CCTV cameras are getting popular and homes and businesses have begun using them.

The reason behind having security cameras installed is to make your home as unappealing to would-be thieves and burglars. They are attracted to houses that are vulnerable to the resident's guard down. The moment they see mounted spy camera all over the property, they will most likely choose an easier target. 

So if you are looking to have security cameras installed, here's how and what common mistakes should be avoided.

Security system set up

Home security systems are getting more and more popular especially now that people have a wider range of options. There are different ways you can set up the system. There are systems which require very minimal effort to set up. And there are those that require a professional's help.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or with a professional, the steps in setting up a security system is pretty straightforward. You'll just have to make sure everything is mounted firmly and connect to the central hub.

  1. Door and window sensors

These are the most vulnerable areas in the house and thus need first attention. Once sensors are in place in doors and windows, you'll be able to detect unwanted entry into your place. It comprises of a transmitter and a tiny piece of magnet to close the circuit. When it is armed if a door or window is opened an alarm will sound.

  1. Motion sensors

Another important part of any security system is the motion sensors. Their role is protecting the property when you're away or asleep. Motion sensors use infrared to detect changes in temperature so avoid pointing them towards windows where varying degrees of hot and cold periods happen. In setting up these sensors, pick a spot in a room with a clear view of the whole room.

  1. Glass-breaker sensors

These sensors sound off when a window is shattered.

  1. Smoke and CO detectors

More and more homes are having these installed after hearing of all the horror stories of entire family suffocated by the odorless gas. Gadgets that come with smoke, heat, and CO detectors are becoming common in the security market saving you time and money of having to buy each individual gear.

  1. Spy cameras

You'll have to be very careful about how you're going to set up your camera. They will need to have the best vantage point in order to see everything and they'll need to be somewhere that makes it hard for intruders to disable them. In this case, asking for professional help would be a great idea.

Mistakes to avoid

Even the most expensive spy camera and security network won't be good enough to deter an attack if it's badly installed. Here are some tips on how to avoid common mistakes in installing your security cameras.

  • Hiding the cameras

  • How to position them

  • Cheap vs expensive systems

  • Additional security

  • DIY vs professional installation

Hiding security cameras

Here's a simple tip, don't try to hide your cameras. Many people believe that in order for a spy camera to be effective is it should be well concealed. Well, I've got news for you, according to a study, visible monitoring cameras is one way that a thief or burglar might reconsider targeting your home. Shocking? Not really.

Think about it, seeing a camera say in a school or in the mall is always going to change your behavior. You know you're being monitored so you keep your actions in check and make sure nothing you do could be suspicious even if you've done nothing wrong. 

Now imagine a burglar about to step into your property only to notice that on every corner, there's a spy camera. Even if they hide their faces, they're still going to get caught doing the crime.

Spy camera position

Then we go to how you can position your camera. I personally think this is one crucial factor in making your security system effective. You'll want to put it somewhere it can get the maximum vantage point without overlapping with other cameras in the system. But knowing the best position is going to be tricky.

The main point of spy cameras is to have continuous monitoring of your place, no interruption. Direct sunlight at a certain point in the day will render it useless. Snow and rain can also obscure the view of a camera, as well as tree branches or hedges. What's more, if you're using a WiFi spy camera, you'll need to put it somewhere with a topnotch WiFi signal.

Make sure your cameras are protected from the elements and regularly check the live feed to make sure its position and tilt angle hasn't been changed.

Cheap vs expensive security camera system

If you scour the internet looking for a security system you can use at home, you will no doubt find a few cheap versions of security systems. These might seem very tempting, I mean why would you buy a system that's three times more expensive when there's a cheap one with the same features, right? Nope.

Getting a cheap system is like throwing your efforts and money down the drain, not to mention you're compromising your own security. While these systems come with a couple of cameras, these barely have any feature on them other than recording capabilities, and sometimes they only record standard-definition footage. A watered-down spy camera also won't have infrared capabilities for night time recording, nor will it have the capability to connect to the internet for live-streaming.

Save yourself the extra cost of constantly changing your network every few years and just get a good quality security system. It will give you a bang for your buck and will last for a long time.

Additional security

Next, make sure you enable other security measures on your system. In most cases, having a couple of spy cameras installed usually does the job of making us feel safe in our home. But for expansive homes with multiple rooms, cameras just won't fill the bill.

Motion sensors can be added into your system for an added layer of protection. You'll be notified, if any movement is detected in certain parts of your house especially when you're away. 

Audio recording capabilities are also present in a few spy cameras so you can hear as well as see what's going on. Last is setting up the system's password, not just on the system itself but on the mobile app it comes with. This way you can gain control of the system even when you're not home and alert neighbors or authorities should an attack happen.

DIY vs professional installations

Having professionals install your security system is going to help you avoid the pitfalls of setting up your system. They know how to properly position each camera, where they're going to place it around the house, and get the entire system going and ready for you.

Many providers also offer a warranty for the equipment and spy gears that you purchased from them. This is particularly important when your spy camera malfunctions right out of the box. 

But if you opt for DIY installation, all the responsibilities fall on you to set it up correctly. Don't get me wrong, it can be done but you run the risk of committing common mistakes.

Blocking the IR lights

If you got a decent security system, chances are the cameras come equipped with dynamic infrared light. People think that an infrared capable camera can see through the dark. I hate to burst your bubble but they can't. 

Cameras still need light to see and record footage. Infrared-capable cameras switch on their infrared light when it gets dark. But because infrared light is invisible to human eyes, we won't see it shining at night so the chances of blocking it are very real.

There have been cameras with their IR LED lights blocked by a tape or obscured by a wire. If this happens, your spy camera will be pretty much useless during night time.

Final thoughts

So those are the ways on how you can set up your home security system and the common mistakes you should avoid. What it all boils down to is knowing the security equipment you have, how they operate and making sure that they are all linked in one network. You should also make sure that internet live feed is available so you can monitor your home even when you're away.

Author Bio:

Kerry Brooks is an ardent blogger and frequent traveler who writes about home improvement, travel, and the latest trends in emerging technologies. She is currently working with EyeSpySupply, which offers a wide range of surveillance equipment and tracking device, including wireless spy camera, nanny cams, GPS trackers, and voice-activated audio recorders and more.

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