OK, you've got your new indoor security cameras but now you're pondering on where to put them. It's a common dilemma for a lot of people, especially those who only have one or two cameras. Although every residential structure is different, there are still common areas that need monitoring. In this article I will show you where to place indoor security cameras for best effect or you can read about placement of outdoor cameras here. Every property has its vulnerable spots but the way burglars get inside your home may surprise you.
If you've read our camera placement article for outdoor systems then you will notice we're covering the same areas, only on the inside. Camera placement indoors is a little different to outdoor video cameras as you will see in a moment.
The master bedroom is the favorite place in the house for burglars. There's usually a lot of stuff stored in these rooms too. It can be a real headache trying to work out what the thief has actually taken after the event. Aside from catching them on camera, you also get to watch them rummage through your possessions and see what they steal. This makes listing your losses and the chance of recovering them so much greater. As they move around the master bedroom the camera will also catch their face from different angles. This obviously makes identification much easier for the police.
Security Tip: Don't underestimate the power of two-way audio if you cameras have that feature. Speaking to the intruder direct will not only startle them, but they may take off in a mad panic without any of your valuables. Just announce that your cameras have recorded their every move and that the police are now on their way.
It's quite logical to suggest monitoring the main entrances to your home. But to get the best results you need to know where and how to position the cameras. Most burglars will always try the front doors first, and then side and back doors next. If the doors are too secure they move on to the first floor windows. For indoor security, the idea is to point the camera direct at the door. If possible, aim to keep the camera about 7ft off the ground (no higher) pointing down at a slight angle. This is the ideal position because your camera is low enough to capture a clear view of an intruder's face. And it's also high enough not to be too obvious for a burglar in a hurry. Whether you fix the camera to the wall or just sit it on top of a piece of furniture will depend on your entrance and preference.
If the doors are too secure, opportunistic burglars will move on to your first floor windows. Having a security camera sit on a table facing the window can work as a great deterrent. You may need to point it up slightly. For all the burglar knows, the camera has already captured their image before they've even got in. Burglars also know more about home security and security systems than most law-abiding citizens. That means they will understand that your camera most likely has motion detection and has already sent out an alert to the home owners. For them, this is the time to make a quick getaway. Remember too, cameras may deter would-be burglars, or record their crime, but they do not physically reinforce your first floor windows. Burglar-proofing both your doors and windows should always be a priority in making your home more secure.
Security Tip: Do not point the camera facing directly at the window. Instead have it set back a bit, pointing at an angle. This will prevent interference from backlighting and reflections, which would otherwise turn the intruder into a dark silhouette thus making them unidentifiable. The other reason not to have the cameras point directly out of the window is that they might pick up false motions and send you unnecessary alerts. This could include things like birds flying by and plants moving in the wind, etc. You may need to move the camera around a bit to find the ideal spot.
I recommend monitoring the pathways in your home, in particular the one that leads to the master bedroom. The reason why is simple. The master bedroom is usually the first place a burglar heads to, as this is where most people keep their valuables and any cash they might have. Having an indoor security camera here will catch the intruder as they approach this room. For the record, kid's bedrooms are the last place a burglar looks, in fact, most won't even bother.
Security Tip: Make sure you position the camera so it catches the burglar coming in. This way you get a good face shot. The last thing you want is side or back-of-the-head shots. You won't want cameras pointing to all doors in your home as that would be costly and impractical. Instead, look for bottleneck positions, places the thief has to pass on their way in and out. This might be a hallway or stairway as two examples.
If you have a garage it needs monitoring. When burglars are unable to get in from the usual channels they will always fall back on a garage adjoined to the main house. Somewhere in the neighborhood of nine percent of all break-ins occur through garage doors. Even garages that are separate from the main house can offer easy pickings for opportunistic burglars. It's the same with garden sheds. Both of these outbuildings can hold a treasure-trove of resalable items for house thieves. Outbuildings, for the most part, are unoccupied, which is another attraction for common burglars.
Security Tips: Think carefully about where you position security cameras on sheds and garages. Remember the issue with backlighting. If you point the cameras directly at the door, and the thief opens that door during daylight hours, the video will become useless. The solution is to point the camera at an angle to the doors. This is also good for motion detection purposes as it works better when an intruder walks across the lens rather than right at it. There are usually lots of shelves and other surfaces in these outhouses. Play around a bit with the cameras until you find the perfect location for capturing and intruder in good lighting.
Indoor security camera systems are not there to replace strong locks doors and frames. They are simply an added layer of security. Every home is different but the five break-in locations above are certainly the ones you need to watch over with your indoor security system. The types of cameras and setups are covered in our other articles, so be sure to read through those if you need help in that area. Indoor security cameras are just one of a number of good burglary prevention tools.
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