Where to Place Your Home Security Cameras for Maximum Safety

August 19, 2020 by Anas Mustafa

Home security systems that include cameras are a great addition to enhance the safety of your home. Well-placed security cameras can not only act as a deterrent to potential thieves and burglars but also provide evidence of any crime happening on your property and assist in catching and prosecuting the perpetrator and retrieving your stolen items. Smart security cameras also allow you to monitor your home 24/7 remotely from any location.

But if your cameras are not placed at the right locations, you may not enjoy as much protection or convenience as you expect. There are different types of security cameras offering a variety of integration capabilities, image resolutions, and use cases.

While some security cameras are ideal for outdoor use, others are best used indoors. Some also provide features such as colour night vision or pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) to allow for wider coverage. As well, some cameras can capture the license plates of vehicles approaching your property.

With such diverse features, the right camera for each situation should be placed at the ideal location to maximize its capabilities and enhance your security. Smart Home Security Systems offer greater flexibility in their placement since they can integrate with WiFi based cameras. They only require a wire for power so you don’t have to run a lot of wires through the walls, ceiling, or use conduit-piping, to get to the Video Recording Device which can be inconvenient for some applications.

What is the best location for your home security cameras?

Researchers claim that most burglars enter the home through the front door. A good number of burglars also access your home through the first-floor windows or backdoor, while some can enter your home through the garage door, basement, and other places. You should put your cameras in multiple areas around your home where intruders are most likely to enter.

Rather than focusing on the number of cameras to be installed, it’s recommended that you consider which locations inside and outside your home would provide the best viewing ranges for all entry points, including:

1. Front, back, and side door security cameras

You should have a camera watching your front door. This should be your first camera placement outside your house. The camera should be placed at the second-level where it’s not easily reachable to a burglar looking to knock it down. If your house has only one floor, consider using mesh wiring to enclose your front door security camera to prevent tampering.

2. Off-street window cameras

Burglars are likely to break into your home through a rear window that can’t be viewed from the street. This reduces the likelihood of being spotted by people or vehicles passing by. Adding a camera to your off-street windows can help to keep that side of your home safe from vandals and thieves.

3. Other security cameras

Installing security cameras at your front and back doors and off-street windows can protect your home from about 80% of burglaries. However, you should also place cameras at any blind spots for peace of mind. Some of the other locations recommended for security camera placement include:

Driveway and garage

Some burglars may confidently approach your home by walking down the driveway and attempt to enter your home through the garage door. An exterior camera covering the driveway can help you watch for any suspicious activities.
Basement and balcony

If your home has a balcony or basement with stairs leading to an entry point, you should consider placing an exterior camera at these access points to detect suspicious activities.
Second-floor windows

Even if you don’t have a balcony, burglars can also try to access your home through second-floor windows using ladders, large adjacent trees, or stepping on the roof, depending on your home’s design. You should place cameras to monitor these access points.
Places with high-value items

In the event that burglars enter your home, there are certain areas that they’ll be likely to target for valuables, such as the master bedroom and living room. You can also install indoor cameras to watch these spaces or at the corridors to protect the privacy of your loved ones.

Cameras placed above the door frame should face down so you can view a few feet before the door. The cameras can also be placed inside the home with a view of the path to the entrance. Cameras placed on the window seals provide a good view of the yard. This setup makes it easier to see the face of the intruder for tracking and arrests.

Planning Your Home Security Camera Layout

The correct placement of your home security cameras is critical for enhancing the safety of your home. To ensure that you get optimal protection from the camera layout, you should make some preparations by asking yourself the following questions:

What areas do you think should have security cameras?
What are the vulnerable spots of your home?
Are there any obscured entrances (doors and windows) that could be attractive entry points for burglars?
Where have past break-ins to your home or neighbourhood occurred?

These questions can be used as guidelines to help you determine the layout of your home security cameras before installation. In your planning, you may find that it’s more suitable to install cameras at the main trouble areas only, namely the front door, back door, and first-floor windows. You may consider additional cameras at the four corners of your property to secure the entire perimeter.

This arrangement may not work well for most homes, so make sure to observe the field of view and avoid installing cameras in areas that create blind spots. You should be able to observe everything taking place on your property.

This means paying attention to the lighting inside and outside your property to obtain bright, clear images, or use infrared cameras where necessary. Outside cameras should be weather-resistant to prevent damage from moisture and extreme temperatures.

Should you hide your home security cameras?

When installing security cameras, you should also consider the risk of tampering when a burglar is committed to going through with the crime. You can choose whether to make your security cameras visible or hidden.

Generally, the presence of security cameras is enough to deter opportunistic intruders. You may consider putting fake or cheap cameras in easy to spot areas while the valuable ones stay hidden so you can still catch the thieves even if they tamper with the fake camera and record the crime.

To learn more about the best places to put your home security cameras, call the Canadian Security Professionals at +1-877-494-9911 or contact us here.

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