Outdoor security cameras are a great way to secure your house or your business. By placing them in key access areas, you can monitor activity and prevent unwanted intrusions. Make the most of your security cameras by placing them in locations that matter.
Where Do You Install an Outdoor Security Camera?
Think about where you enter the building. These points are the areas you’ll want to monitor. This likely includes ground-floor doors and windows. If you live in an apartment on the second floor or above, consider monitoring your hallway and the stairway leading up to your door. If your yard has tall shrubs or dense brush, you may want to monitor that area as well. If you have any detached buildings, like a storage shed or guest bedroom, you might also place a security camera near there.
Wherever you choose to install your security cameras, make sure to place them high enough so they can’t easily be stolen; 8-10 feet above ground will give a good amount of visibility and make it so they are harder to steal. An additional point here is to make sure your camera is not facing someone else’s property. Even if this is accidental, it is breaking the law to surveil someone else’s property.
Use Outdoor Security Cameras to Monitor the Outside
If you intend to monitor spaces outside your home or office, it’s crucial that you place the camera outside. If you put a camera inside facing out a window, it’s possible that the camera’s motion detection features won’t work.
Should You Hide the Camera?
It’s still under debate in the security community whether it’s best to conceal your outdoor camera or keep it visible. Some burglars may see the camera as an indication that there are valuable items inside the building. Other burglars may be deterred by the camera and avoid entering the building.
Make Sure Your Camera Is Tough Enough
Think about where you want to place your camera. Will it be in direct sunlight? Does it rain a lot in that spot? Maybe even hail? Make sure your camera can withstand the fluctuations in temperature and weather of that location. You can check the IP rating of your camera to learn what conditions it can handle.
Can It See?
You’ll want to make sure your camera doesn’t have light reflecting into it and that there isn’t a strong glare. Otherwise, you may not be able to see the recording well. In this same vein, it can help to have a camera with HDR (high dynamic range) to reduce the effect of glare from the sun. Regardless of your camera’s specs, it’s wise to place the camera in indirect sunlight. Additionally, you’ll want to check in on your camera regularly. Clean any pollen or dirt that cakes up on the lens.
Test Your Connectivity
Wireless outdoor security cameras are becoming ever more popular. Before you install a wireless camera, make sure to test it. Are there lags? Does it work with your mobile application? Is it within your Wi-Fi zone? If all works as it is supposed to, go ahead and install the camera.
Something you may not think about is how your outdoor security cameras can affect your internet speed. If you have multiple cameras on your home Wi-Fi network, this can noticeably slow down your connection. If this is the case, it may be worth getting an additional router.
Federal Security Can Help You Install Security Cameras
If you want to ensure your outdoor security cameras are working properly, reach out to us. We’re happy to help you troubleshoot your current security system or install an even better one.