Avoid These Surveillance Mistakes

Installing a home surveillance system can be rewarding, providing you a sense of security and peace of mind. However, the process of choosing, installing and using the right cameras is a delicate task. It’s important to evaluate your needs, understand what features will help you accomplish your goals, and execute installation and use correctly. Avoid errors in the process by reviewing these common security camera mistakes.

• Mistake: Forgetting to secure indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras.
  If you fail to secure your surveillance cameras, they can be susceptible to tampering and vandalism. To keep your equipment safe, install your cameras at least 9 feet above the ground. You may also want to consider investing in vandal proof and weather proof housing, especially for outdoor cameras.
• Mistake: Thinking cameras are able to multitask.
  They cannot. When you are installing your security cameras, you must think of the task you want your camera to perform and where to place it. Prepare a diagram for your home security system so you can plan out camera placement. This will also allow you to figure out how many and what type of cameras you need for optimum security.
• Mistake: Placing cameras at the highest point.
  While this tactic will give you a larger view, you will not a get a detailed look at any person’s features, making it impossible to identify potential criminals. You may want to try a PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) security camera which allows you to view large areas while enabling zoom for a more detailed look without compromising quality.
• Mistake: Using cameras without Wide Dynamic Range at doorways and windows.
  Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) plays a big role when part of an image is extremely dark but another part is bright. Since lighting conditions indoors and outdoors can vary drastically, this feature is especially essentials for cameras near windows and doorways.
• Mistake: Failing to provide enough lighting.
  If you require night time monitoring, you should invest in night vision security cameras. However, if your camera does not have night vision, be sure to provide enough lighting so that your cameras can record clear footage. Remember, putting cameras too close to bright lights will cause the picture to be disrupted. Also, if an outdoor camera is pointing to direct sunlight, this will cause stripes in the images.

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