We are now in the DIY era. Doing it yourself is now the new big thing and it makes more sense to be in charge of your installations and be in control especially where your security is concerned. It also costs way less to install your security system so this is something to consider. However, it is best to still seek some expert advice on how best to do this because you do not want to install a system that robbers can just tear down or by-pass. Here are some tips to make your security system full-proof.
1- Every entrance is important
It is recommended that you install a camera at every entrance. The front and back entrance is very important. All the ground level entrances need to have cameras. Some experts can suggest that the side entrance and driveway could also use a camera. A video doorbell works very well for the front entrance as one of the first port of calls for security.
2- Cameras need to be at the right height and distance
The cameras need to be set up in just the right place so that they can serve their purpose. With most cameras, the motion detection infrared range is about 5 to 20 feet, which means they have to be positioned in the right place for them to detect motion accurately and quickly enough for you to be able to act.
For an accurate recording of motion detection infrared camera, it needs to be placed high enough which is between 8 to 10 feet so that it can work effectively and at the right angle. You also don’t want to make it easy for a robber to yank it down. Do not direct your camera towards the street because then even a passing car can set off the alarm which defeats the purposes.
3- There is a benefit to keeping outdoor cameras visible
Visible cameras can scare away intruders. When they see that they are being recorded this may deter them from going ahead with their plans. However, some would think that because you have cameras then maybe the risk is worth it because you have something of value that is worth protecting. This decision is up to you the installer to hide or reveal the cameras.
4- Pick an internet plan that can support high-resolution cameras
You need to check your internet connection to make sure that it can support the cameras that you have bought, especially when it comes to streaming speeds as well as uploading speeds. Always check your Mbps requirements and ensure they match with your bandwidth speeds so that you get high- resolution footage.
5- Your type of home might need wired cameras
Not every home is made for wireless cameras. They work well for outdoor locations but not necessarily for apartment living or brick homes. This is because these living spaces pose the challenge of signal interference due to large distances from the camera to the router or thick walls in between. This now means you need to drill holes in the wall and put wires through for your connections.
6- Have an all-rounded security system
Camera security makes sense because you have visual evidence of what is going on and it can help with investigations after but it is important to also have a backup to your cameras. Sensors and smart lights are also effective in security systems. They set off alarms and you can respond instantly to the intruder. These can also scare away the intruders because they know that you have been warned of their presence.
7- Consider Local video storage over cloud storage
What happens to your footage after it is recorded. You need to consider your security and your privacy. Keeping your video footage on an SD card or somewhere where only you have access makes it a better and safer option. You would not want to have someone hacking into the cloud system and stumbling upon your private video footage. It is also so much cheaper than having to pay the security company to keep your footage in the cloud.
8- Do regular maintenance checks
You need to always be on top of checking if your security system is still working. Never relax after installation thinking the system will take care of itself. You need to:
- Ensure the cameras are on the same frequency as the router
- Check the batteries of the cameras because they can run down
- Ensure your upload speeds are good and going hand in hand with your internet bandwidth
- Constantly keep up to date with your video feed, do not just store it without watching it
- Do not keep irrelevant footage, ensure you never run out of storage space
- Always test your equipment regularly, like motion detection and smart light to see if they are still working.
This may seem daunting and like a lot of work, but you will be proud of the work you did by installing your security system and how much money you have saved. If you follow the tips you will have a working system that can last you a long time.