Whether you’re looking to protect your home, your business, or your financial institution, video surveillance cameras are a good first step. Effective video surveillance requires a bit of knowhow, including where to place cameras, what features to look for in a surveillance camera, and more. For help getting started and understanding the logistics involved, review the video surveillance tips below.
Video Surveillance Tips
Your video surveillance needs will obviously vary depending on the property you’re trying to protect. However, you’ll want to consider a few features regardless of your property. When purchasing and installing a security camera for your home, business, or bank, we encourage you to keep these video surveillance tips in mind:
- Select a system with remote monitoring capabilities, allowing you to check in on your system from a mobile app or web browser.
- For a customizable security experience, find a video surveillance system with indoor and outdoor mounts.
- Use high-resolution video, especially when recording at night and in dimly lit areas.
- Be sure that your chosen company offers easy-to-access, knowledgeable customer support that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Depending on your property and its unique concerns, you may require indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, or both. It is important to purchase the right equipment, carefully decide where it should be placed, and install it correctly.
Indoor Cameras
At Federal Protection, we provide hybrid video surveillance for businesses of all shapes and sizes. We know firsthand the importance of a customized indoor surveillance plan. After conducting a comprehensive site assessment to understand your needs, we will work to design a video surveillance system that reflects your unique goals and concerns.
Indoor cameras are typically located in corners of rooms, including lobbies, halls, and any rooms that contain critical information. They are also common near emergency exits. In a large building, you may wish to use a trap surveillance technique for efficiency. Cameras are strategically placed so that a person can’t move from one area of the building to another without being recorded, reducing the number of cameras needed to protect the facility.
Indoor security cameras are a no-brainer for businesses and banks, but they can also be a good fit for residential security systems. For example, indoor surveillance is a good option for parents who would like to check in on their kids when they’re home alone. Keep an eye on your family’s activity by installing a camera near your home’s main entryways: the front door, the backdoor, the garage, etc. You may also wish to install cameras near off-street windows and in rooms with valuable belongings.
Outdoor Cameras
When it comes to outdoor cameras, the focus is typically on points of entry: doors, windows, garages, etc. This is true for businesses and residences alike.
Despite its prominent location, the front door is one of the most common entry points for burglars; in fact, an estimated 34 percent of all burglars use the front door as an entry point. Make sure to place your camera high enough to avoid an intruder tampering with it. You may also want to consider covering your camera with a protective surface, like strong mesh.
Although the front door is the most common entry point, don’t forget the back door. Hoping for a more discreet entrance, 22 percent of burglars enter through the back door. Some burglars prefer to strike at off-street entry points as well, so consider placing cameras near basement doors, lower-level windows, and rear entries. You might also consider arming your property’s perimeter with motion-sensor floodlights and a night-vision surveillance camera.
If you have questions about video surveillance – or want to continue the conversation about ways we can protect your home, business, or financial institution – give us a call at 800-299-5400 or contact us using our online form.
