Where to Place Your Home Security Cameras
Home security camera placement is extremely important. If you want maximum coverage, you need to know exactly where to put your cameras - but don’t worry! We’ve got the expert advice you need.
Best Locations to Install Home Security Cameras
- Your front door and ground-level windows: this one is a no-brainer. According to the experts at security.org, burglars can most easily enter the home the same way you do - through the front door. Thus, this is the most obvious place to install your cameras. You should also have cameras in all the places burglars would need to pass through to access the rest of your home, such as your main stairs, hallways, and common areas.
- Yards, driveways, and garages: another common place for a burglar to gain access to your home is through your driveway and garage, especially if it happens to be attached to the home. Plus, your garages typically contain very expensive items, like your cars, tools, and more. Basically, a lot of stuff you don’t want stolen! Also, don’t forget to place cameras in the front and back yard. This is especially true if you have overgrown trees and bushes, which gives potential burglars excellent coverage from the street. Yard security camera placement is especially important if you live in a remote area, or if your yard isn’t easily visible from the street.
- The rest of the house: while not as pressing as the main common areas, you might want to consider placing a camera in the basement if that’s where you store your valuables. The second floor of the house is also a good idea, as long as they stay focused on the hallway rather than bedrooms and bathrooms. You don’t want to overdo it!
Things to Consider Before Installing Home Monitoring Cameras
There’s a lot to consider if this your first time setting up home security cameras. One thing many might not consider but is nevertheless of the utmost importance is privacy. You don’t want cameras pointing into bedrooms or bathrooms, as the likelihood of anyone accessing your home that way is very low. It’s easy to go overboard, especially if you’re worried about break-ins, but you still need to have some privacy, and the same goes for your neighbors. Some people place cameras facing their neighbor's property, but that’s a no-no. Depending on where you live it’s most likely illegal too.
Other factors to consider are whether or not the cameras are visible. It is possible that a camera in plain view might be enough to deter a criminal from burglarizing your property. Also, if you have dozens of cameras set up that are hooked up to your Wi-Fi, it's going to affect your internet connection, so fewer cameras in better locations is always best.
Where Do Most Break-Ins Occur?
As noted in our security placement tips, most break-ins happen wherever it's easiest to enter the home, meaning your front door. If your home has many access points, then it's much easier to break in if those areas aren’t secure. Make sure to lock all doors and windows when not in use. Garages are also a frequently hit area, especially if connected to the home. Overgrown trees and bushes also provide burglars with excellent coverage, especially if it makes them less visible from the street.
Expert Tips For Security Camera Placement
In the end, planning security camera placement properly can make any new system all the more effective. Front doors, ground floor windows, common areas, yards, driveways, and garages are all excellent places to install your new system. But remember, keep them out of bedrooms and bathrooms, and keep them pointed away from your neighbor's home as you could run into legal issues.
Should I Get a Security Camera Installed by Professionals?
While you can certainly have experts install your smart home cameras, the process itself is quite straightforward and easy. The equipment is all very lightweight. In the old days, home security cameras needed to have cables installed and hidden, but all of that fuss is no longer a concern with smart home security systems. Everything is connected via Wi-Fi, so installing them is a breeze. The cameras are so small, it’s very simple to keep them out of view if need be.
Security Camera Placement Laws
As noted above, you have to be careful from a legal standpoint where you’re placing your cameras. If they’re being placed around your own home, it's not a problem, but if someone else’s property is visible via the camera, this is where you need to be careful.
Before installing your home security cameras, make sure to check your municipal, state, county, and federal laws. The general rule of thumb is that cameras are fine if there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy. If you have a camera placed on your front door and the street is visible, there’s no problem. A street is a public place. The same goes if your neighbor's lawn is visible, as if it's outside, you can’t reasonably expect total privacy. Also, note that there are different laws surrounding audio and video recording.
BAZZ Smart Home Monitoring
For peace of mind, consider BAZZ Smart Home Monitoring. The security cameras are lightweight, easy to install, and very affordable. Technology has advanced to the point that you can get comprehensive home security without needing to invest in costly private security. BAZZ’s surveillance cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, lights, and alarms connect to your existing Wi-Fi connection and are energy efficient to boot. There are no expensive setup fees or monthly charges.
BAZZ puts your home safety in your hands. All you need to do is install the cameras, connect them to your Wi-Fi and pair them with the BAZZ smart home app, which will allow you to monitor and control everything from your phone, whether you’re at home or not. Whether it's cameras, contact sensors, or even water leak sensors, BAZZ has it all at a price that makes enhanced home security more affordable than ever.