When it comes to how many cameras you should have for home security, the answer is: As many as you want or need.
What's more important though, is where you place your security cameras and the kinds of features they offer.
The goal of security cameras isn't just for monitoring (although they certainly provide peace of mind). They're also for deterrence, so intruders are less likely to break in, and for capturing evidence. In the event someone does break into your home, having a clear visual of their face or vehicle will help the authorities track them down, and hopefully either retrieve what was stolen or provide restitution for damages.
Keep reading to learn more about why you should place cameras in the following areas:
- Front door
- Back door & windows
- Garage & yard
- Interior main hallways
As well as:
- Important features of outdoor security cameras
- Important features of indoor security cameras
Want a free quote on a security camera system for your home? Call Ackerman Security at 800.552.1111 or contact us online. Our security experts are standing by, ready to provide you with an on-site security inspection as well as the best security system options for your needs and budget.
Why you need a front door security camera
Don't expect an intruder not to be so bold as to waltz right through your front door. Because when it comes to theft, the path of least resistance is always the top choice.
Your front entrance is where the majority of your coming and goings happen, and if you happen to forget to lock the door, you're left vulnerable to an easy theft.
For this reason, having a front door security camera is critical. Not only is it a deterrent (intruders are less likely to break into places with cameras in plain sight), it also helps you keep track of package deliveries and anyone attempting to steal them.
Because again, when it comes to theft, the easier the better. Why would someone go through the hassle of breaking in if they can steal from right outside your door? You might not think your package of $12 shampoo is all that valuable, but you'd be surprised. For some people, if it's there and it's easy, that's reason enough to take it— again and again. And without camera footage, you won't have any idea who they are.
As an added benefit, front door cameras also provide peace of mind around members of your household, like children and pets, whose activities you may want to monitor.
Why you need security cameras for your back door & windows
If the front door isn't an easy option, most intruders look for back doors and windows that might have accidentally been left open or unlocked.
Essentially, they'll be looking for vulnerable points of entry, and that's precisely what you want to be monitoring.
In addition to motion sensor lights, having cameras at your back door or first floor windows is an excellent deterrent for thieves looking for an easy score. If it's difficult, chances are they'll move on.
Benefits of garage & yard cameras
Installing security cameras in and around your garage or yards is a great way to keep track of anyone who might be attempting to surveil your activities.
Smart thieves pay attention, and will watch your comings and goings. Is your car suddenly not parked in the driveway for several days in a row? Have the lights been off for a week or two? If so, chances are you're out of town, and your home just got a lot easier to rob.
If a robbery were to happen, having camera footage of the exterior areas of your home — driveway, sidewalk, side yards etc — might reveal a suspicious person lingering around for prolonged periods of time. If your cameras are able to capture a shot of their face, or better yet, license plate, you'll have evidence to hand over to the police.
Benefits of interior hallway cameras
If an intruder were to successfully break into your home, they're not just going to stand there idle and stationary. They're going to move about, attempting to find valuable items to take with them.
For this reason, having cameras installed in hallways (or main throughways) is particularly beneficial, because they're likely to capture important footage.
Whether an intruder breaks in through your front door, back door or window, chances are they're going to have to move through a hallway of some sort in order to access high value places, like your home office or hallway storage closet. As they're rifling through your belongings, your camera might be able to catch a shot of their face, height and weight details, or other identifiable features that could provide evidence to authorities.
Additionally, if you happen to be home during the invasion, having interior cameras equipped with motion-detection capabilities will alert you to the intruder's presence, and allow you to respond faster.
Key features of outdoor security cameras
When selecting an outdoor security camera, look for key features like:
- Night vision
- Weather-proofing
- Motion detection
- Wide-angle lens
- HD resolution (1080 pixel minimum)
- Wi-Fi connectivity (no wires)
Essentially, your outdoor camera needs to be able to stand up to the elements (like rain or snow) and provide reliable, clear footage. Because if you can't actually see what's happening, what's the point of having a camera at all? The last thing you want is to have your camera catch a "money shot" of an intruder, only to have it come out blurry.
Additionally, you want your outdoor camera to capture a wide-angle field of view. For larger outdoor spaces with more square footage to monitor, you want a camera that's difficult to evade.
And although many security cameras nowadays are wireless, having a camera whose wires can't be clipped is definitely the way to go. After all, it needs to have power in order to capture video footage.
Key features of indoor security cameras
For indoor security cameras, look for features like:
- Motion detection
- Night vision
- HD resolution (1080 pixel minimum)
- Wi-Fi connectivity (no wires)
- App controlled (you can monitor from your phone)
Just like with outdoor cameras, it's important that your indoor security cameras can capture crystal clear imaging of the activities in your home.
However, you'll also want to consider cameras that have motion detection capabilities and can be controlled through an app on your phone. In the event of a home invasion, your cameras will be able to detect an intruder's physical movements and send you an alert on your phone. You can then quickly view the footage and dial 911.
If it just ends up being the dog or cat, however, you'll at least have peace of mind around the suspicious activity. At the end of the day, that sense of safety is what security cameras help you achieve.
Let us keep your home safe and protected.
Call 800.552.1111 or contact us online for a free quote on a new security camera setup.
For more than 50 years, Ackerman Security has helped to protect Atlanta homeowners from theft, robberies, home invasions and more. We're here for you 24/7 for support and assistance with the latest home security technologies. To discuss your unique needs, give us a call today and we'll set you up with a customized security system.
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