Home security is critical—your home is where your loved ones live and where you keep many valuable possessions. Installing a reliable security camera system is essential for alerting you immediately if anything seems wrong, and it will keep your home safe from intruders.
It’s often challenging to decide where to install security cameras inside and outside your home. Luckily, we have experience with successful security systems. We’ll share eleven things to consider when placing security cameras around your home.
11 Things to Consider
Choosing where to place your cameras can be challenging. Here are some home security camera installation tips you need to know before installing your security system.
1. Image Quality
Choosing cameras with a high-quality resolution to capture small details is crucial. Think about it—your camera may record a suspicious car parked in your driveway. However, if the image isn’t clear enough to read the license plate, the video won’t help much.
Clear images can help authorities quickly identify and locate criminals who trespassed or tried to break into your home. High-definition cameras also help you see every detail of your property so you can easily spot when something seems out of place.
2. Good Angles
Camera angles are critical. You may place a camera outside your garage, but you won’t see who approaches your home or parks a car nearby if it points away from your driveway.
Place cameras so every exterior point of your security system is within view. If you don’t have enough cameras to cover the entire exterior, maximize the view with cameras placed where you’re most likely to catch a trespasser.
Ensure that home interior cameras have a broad view of the main portion of the room or a direct view of an entry point like a door or window.
3. Hidden vs. Visible Cameras
There’s much debate about whether your cameras should be visible. Some believe visible cameras will deter burglars from approaching. Others believe cameras alert potential intruders that you have valuables that you’re trying to protect.
It’s your decision regarding what’s best for you and your home. If you want your cameras visible, mount them in prominent places. If you want them hidden, invest in smaller cameras you can easily hide in light fixtures or decor items.
4. Entry Points
One of the best ways to protect your home is to aim cameras at entry points inside and outside your home. Trespassers will enter through windows and doors, so having all these in a camera’s view is essential.
An entry point placement keeps an eye out for trespassers. It’s also helpful to know when people arrive at your home. As a parent, seeing your kids come home promptly after school will give you peace-of-mind, or it could prevent your teenager from trying to sneak out late.
5. Reflection and Glare
Too many people try to see their live camera feed but can’t because glare and reflections blind the camera. The sun reflecting off a parked car, a wind chime, or even a window could hinder your cameras’ ability to protect your home. When placing cameras around the home, check for what could cause glare and remove reflective items.
Inside your home, windows and mirrors can also blind your cameras. Turn cameras away from these surfaces and move decor items so they won’t interfere.
6. Proximity to Valuables
Think about the most valuable items in your home. Is it a car? Your wall safe? An expensive painting? Place security cameras in your home where they can see the location of your valuables. Careful placement will immediately alert you if someone tries to steal them.
7. Height
Putting a camera so high you can’t reach it may seem odd, but that’s precisely why it’s a good idea. Trespassers often will cover or damage security cameras first to try and protect their identity. The higher a camera is, the harder it becomes for anyone to disable or block it.
Keeping indoor cameras high up ensures guests, children, or pets won’t accidentally move the cameras and change your view.
8. Wired or Wireless
Wireless cameras may seem more convenient because you can easily place them without worrying about wiring. However, wireless cameras often have a harder time transmitting data. Wired cameras are more reliable and less likely to experience technical issues.
9. Common Break-In Points
When installing your security system, diagram your home to identify common break-in points. Some of these points include front and back doors and windows on the side of the house not facing the street.
Consider an area a trespasser must go through in your home. For example, if they head upstairs, they must pass through your stairway, so set a camera there.
10. Visual Interferences
Easily preventable situations often block cameras. If your outdoor camera is near a tree, pollen could cover it during the spring, or new growth may block it in the summer. An indoor camera may have had a perfect view when you originally placed it, but a growing plant or added picture frame may now block its view.
Inspect your cameras regularly to ensure they have an unobstructed view of their surroundings. Consciously move items or trim plants so they don’t block your cameras.
11. Professional vs. DIY Installation
Many companies advertise security camera systems as easy DIY setups with instructions on how to install wireless security camera systems at home. While you can install cameras on your own, we always recommend you contact professionals for help.
Professional security employees, like those at Fluent Home, have experience placing cameras and know precisely what points a camera should cover. These installers are familiar with the technical side of systems. They’re less likely to experience issues than first-time installers.
Fluent Home Can Help You Secure Your Property
When you’re ready for a reliable security system, it’s time to contact Fluent Home. Our security experts know the ideal spots to place security cameras around the home. They can easily install your cameras and a complete security system to safeguard your home and those who live there.
Home security systems and automation can create a safe, comfortable home for your family. Learn how you can protect your property and your loved ones. Contact Fluent Home today and see what we can do for you.
