Why Should You Have Home Security Cameras?

Home security cameras are a great way to protect your home and stay connected to it on-the-go. Today, you can stream your cameras live to your phone with nothing more than a WiFi connection. They do more than just catch burglars. They help you stay connected to your home and family!

Beyond feeling safe, there are plenty of reasons to stay connected. Here are a few:

• To see your kids coming home from school
• To lazily let the dog out the back door, but still keep an eye on them
• To check on pets throughout the day
• To answer the front door
• To create home movies and memories

Choosing the Right Kind of Camera

Now that you know how your family will use cameras to keep your home protected and connected, let’s talk about which cameras are best for your home. There are countless options out there, but to keep it simple, you can break cameras down into three basic types: Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras.

Indoor vs Outdoor Cameras

There are a few differences between indoor and outdoor cameras. First, outdoor cameras need to be weatherproof in order to withstand the elements. Check the camera’s IP Rating before putting it outside to see if it’s weather and waterproof. Second, outdoor cameras need their own power source like a solar panel. Both allow you to check in from your phone day or night.

Doorbell Cameras

Doorbell cameras are a little different. Rather than just recording on motion (though they do that too), doorbell cameras will start recording when someone rings. Then, they’ll connect you to the front door through a video call! They replace your existing hardwired doorbell. If you don’t have a hardwired doorbell, don’t worry. You can still set up battery-powered doorbell cameras too!

Things to Consider When You Set Up Home Security Cameras

While you’ll surely be using your cameras to keep your home safe, they’ll quickly become part of your daily life. To make sure you are getting the most out of your cameras, there are a few things to keep in mind when setting them up.

Camera Position

All cameras have a specific field of view, usually around 130°. This is what the camera is able to “see” in front of it. If something is too close to the camera, part of it might get cut off. For this reason, when placing an indoor camera, it’s better to put it in the corner of a room to get the most out of its field of view.

Camera Range

How far do you need the camera to see with clarity? Some cameras have zoom capabilities, however, digital zoom does not improve clarity when you zoom in. If you’re just trying to see the area around your home, most cameras will have all of the range you need. If you need to see further than that, you might need to explore other camera options. When it comes to night vision, most cameras use high-power infrared LEDs to light up the field of view. This usually lights about 20-50 feet in front of the camera, which is perfect for protecting a home.

Motion Detection

When something moves in front of your camera, it’ll start recording. This is great for catching bad guys, but not so great if you live on a busy road. Cars driving by constantly could trigger your motion detection and send you unwanted video clips! Luckily, the sensitivity can be easily adjusted to prevent these unwanted motion recordings. When setting up your cameras, test the motion detection to make sure you are only getting the videos you actually want to see throughout the day!

How to Buy and Install Home Security Cameras

Now that you know you definitely want to set up home security cameras and you know which ones are right for you, it’s time to protect your home! If you are a DIYer, this is a task you’re probably looking forward to. If not, you might be a little intimidated at the task of installing cameras around your home. Don’t fret! That’s what we’re here for! Cameras can be easy to set up, but if you need some help, you can always go with a professional installation to make sure everything is done right.

Have more questions about home security cameras? We’re here for you. Call us today to talk to a security specialist to find out which cameras are best for you or to set up an installation!

Know someone thinking about getting home security cameras? Share this with them to make sure they’re informed!

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Where Are the Best Places to Put Home Security Cameras?

While every home is different, there are a few basic principles to keep in mind that will ensure your home feels safe and connected. When considering the best places to put home security cameras, first keep in mind that most break-ins occur on the first level of the home. A large portion of these come through the front door! Here are some of the best places to put your home security cameras.

1. Outside the Front Door

KGW News asked 86 convicted burglars how they would typically break into homes. Most said that they would either use an unlocked door or kick the front door open, “…Loud bangs are better than loud glass breaking.” This makes protecting your front door an absolute must! When setting up front door cameras, you have a couple of options.

Doorbell cameras are a great way to protect your entire entryway. Most of these cameras give you the option to record on motion. So, you don’t have to rely on the burglar to ring the doorbell for the camera to begin recording. If you want to cover a bigger portion of the front of your house, you can also set up an outdoor camera on the upper corner of your porch area. Angle it down to see anyone approaching your door.

However, you won’t just be using your cameras to prevent burglary, you’ll be using them to stay connected to your home and family! Putting your cameras by the front door can give you a daily reminder when your kids come home from school, or make sure you’re there to pick up a package when you can’t be!

2. The Back Door and Back Windows

Considering that most break-ins occur on the first floor of the home, it’s also a great idea to put cameras outside the back of your home. The backs of homes usually aren’t visible from the street, which means someone could attempt a break-in while being hidden from passersby. To get the most coverage, place your cameras on the side corner of your home. Then, angle them to face your back door and yard.

You can also use a backyard camera to keep an eye on the pets when they’re outside. Use an Amazon Echo Show to ask Alexa to show you the backyard. The camera will then stream right to your Echo Show, so you can be a little lazy when letting the dogs out.

3. The Driveway or Garage

Aside from our houses, our vehicles are often the most expensive things we own. So, obviously we want to keep them protected as well. If you keep your car in the garage, it’s a good idea to angle your camera to cover the entry points. If you park in the driveway, you can put your cameras on the side of your home and angle them to keep the whole area in view.

Depending on your home, you might be able to find the right angle that allows you to protect the driveway and the front or back of your home with the same camera! Get creative with the positioning to make your camera show you exactly what you’re looking for.

4. The Nursery

Moving to the inside of the home, baby monitors are one of the most sought after products for new parents. If you’re a parent, you know how much stress can be alleviated with this simple device. Rather than getting an entirely new baby monitor, more and more parents are now placing their indoor cameras in the nursery. This helps them feel like they’re still there even though they’re in the other room.

Use motion activated clips, or watch a live stream with 2-way audio to make your cameras act as a baby monitor. Using the same cameras inside as outside allows you to keep everything that has to do with your home on the same app — safe, connected, and in control of the things that matter most.

5. Facing the Gauge on Your Oil Tank

Why walk all the way to the basement to see how much oil is in your tank when you can simply pull out your phone to check? This camera setup is entirely a convenience factor, but you’d be surprised how often you use it. Cameras aren’t just about keeping your home safe, they should give you peace of mind and make your life easier.

When winter rolls around, you’ll be doing everything that you can to prepare your home. This is one simple way you can stay in-the-know of your oil level to avoid having to hire an emergency refill on the coldest day of the year!

Other Places You Can Put Your Home Cameras

People have gotten pretty creative over the years with their home security cameras. Once you nail down the essentials, you can start adding them for convenience. Here are a few clever places to put your cameras:

• Near the thermostat to see who’s changing the temp when you’re not around
• With dogs or cats to see what they do when you’re away
• Facing a swimming pool to help childproof it
• In your favorite hangout spot to capture the social media-worthy moments

Ready to protect your home? We can help you set up cameras in all of these key locations! Contact us to learn how we can help you get the most out of your security cameras.

Have a friend who’s thinking about setting up some cameras? Share this article with them.

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By now you probably realize the necessity of installing a robust, reliable home security camera system. It’s an easy way to keep your eye on things at home, even when you’re miles away. But just because you understand the concept of smart cameras doesn’t mean you’re getting the most out of them.

So, how do you achieve better results with a smart security camera system in your Hartford, CT property? Find out here. 

See Also: Are Drones the Future of Your Home Security System?

Color Night Vision

Earlier this month, Amazon updated its Ring doorbell cameras with HDR color night vision. The update allows users to see a full range of colors even in low light conditions, making objects easier to identify.

According to Digital Trends:

“All Ring devices with cameras support night vision. In the past, the infrared sensors used for Ring’s night vision captured monochromatic images and video. With the new color capability in Ring’s night vision, owners will be able to discern more detail for greater protection.”

The update is available for hardwired systems and will soon be ready to launch with the tech giant’s wireless doorbells.

360-Degree Viewing Angles

Less common than bullet cameras, 360-degree cameras are a smart way to achieve full coverage of an entire room. You’d most likely benefit from placing these in a garage or small indoor space.

Cameras with 360-degree viewing angles come with app-based controls that allow you to scan images and identify the most critical parts throughout the room. You can also integrate them with a full, smart security system for even greater control and organization.

Facial Recognition

Artificial intelligence is a game-changer when it comes to home security. It can help protect your property from unknown threats, and it can also help you avoid false alarms that minimize the effectiveness of your system.

Among the most exciting technologies is facial recognition. With this software, your cameras can recognize the difference between the mail carrier and a stranger. It can help you identify anyone who’s approached your entryways and take action before they become a threat.

Additional AI technologies will continue to grow in 2019. For instance, predictive analytics can map out possible behaviors of anyone in view and can alert you if there’s a good chance they’ll trespass.

How can your home security camera system keep you safe this year? Find out by consulting your local security and surveillance expert. Click here to find out more.

The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know Your Security Camera System Could Do appeared first on Safehome Security.

If you own or manage a business or multi-unit development, you know that one of your most important jobs is keeping the people in your building safe. There are all sorts of ways to do this: Alarm systems, security guards, motions sensors, and so on.

One of the most effective tools you have in your security toolbox is surveillance systems; after all, what better way to keep an eye on your property than being able to literally look and see what’s happening anytime you want? But if you’re going to invest in surveillance cameras, you want to know that the equipment you’re buying can accommodate all your needs. To help you out, we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best home security cameras for your Los Angeles building.

SEE ALSO: Learn more about Safe Home Security’s services and solutions

For the Front Door: Ring Spotlight Cam

The obvious place to start with security is your front door, as it’s where you’ll get the most amount of foot traffic on any given day. If you’re looking for an all-encompassing security camera to watch your front door or other entrances, you can’t go wrong with the Ring Spotlight Cam.

The Ring Spotlight Cam comes in several different forms, depending on whether you want a model with a wired power source, one that uses batteries or one that runs off solar power. But all Ring Spotlight cameras have several key features in common.

All Spotlight cameras have 1080p resolution, giving you a crystal-clear image of what’s happening. All Spotlight models also feature two-way microphones to let you talk to whomever is outside your door. Combined with a 110-decibel siren, advanced motion detection, night vision technology and integration with the Alexa and Google virtual assistants, the Spotlight makes a worthy addition to any surveillance system.

For Indoors: Amazon Cloud Cam

While keeping an eye on your property’s exterior is important, you also want to know what’s happening inside. To do that, we recommend the Amazon Cloud Cam.

The Cloud Cam has several features that make it a fitting choice for indoor surveillance. Like the Spotlight, you get a video feed with 1080p resolution. The Cloud Cam also sends out rapid notifications to your phone or other device if it detects motion after hours.

Unlike with some other cameras, you also get free 24-hour clip storage with the Cloud Cam, which makes it easy to go back and review what happened if someone breaks into your building. The Cloud Cam has also been noted in several publications for how easy its app is to use, which makes it even more appealing.

For Outdoors: Next Cam Outdoor

The Nest Cam Outdoor integrates with most smart home systems, has a two-way microphone like the Ring Spotlight and has advanced motion detection capabilities. This makes it a no-brainer for your outdoor security needs.

There are other features that make the Nest Cam Outdoor an attractive option. It’s designed with a weatherproof plug for its power supply, which helps it better withstand the elements. And if you opt to subscribe to Nest’s Aware service, you get continuous 24/7 recording and the ability to create customizable security zones.

If you want to learn more about Safe Home Security’s services and how we can help you keep your property secure, gives us a call at 800-833-3211 or visit us online.

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