Security camera placement in your home is crucial for keeping you and your family safe and secure. By placing cameras strategically, you can repel intruders, monitor activities, and, more importantly, if ever there should be the need for it, you can supply evidence.
We’re going to explore where to place security cameras in this guide, what you need to consider before placing and installing security cameras, and more importantly, the mistakes you should avoid. Now let us see how placing your security cameras correctly can protect your home.
Table of contents
Where to Place Security Cameras
Knowing where to put security cameras is crucial to making them effective and covering the necessary space. Here are some key spots to consider:
1.Front door
The front door is one of the most important places you should place a security camera. According to home burglary statistics, about 34% of the burglars enter through the front door. This camera here lets you watch deliveries, visitors, and any sort of suspicious activity.
2.Back door
A common way into the home is the back door which is another entry point for intruders. With a camera placed here, you have eyes on all the main access points to your home.
3.Garage
Items in the garage such as cars, tools, or equipment can be expensive. Installing a camera at the entrance of a garage can bring some security to a vulnerable area.
4.Main hallways
The hallways in your home see lots of traffic because they connect rooms. With someone bypassing outdoor cameras, you can install a camera here to capture movement throughout the house.
5.Living room
If a home has a large living space exposed from a window or with direct entry, a living room camera can monitor activity and keep an eye on valuables.
6.Basement entrances
Basements often are less commonly monitored and can still be ways for intruders to enter your home. It is a good idea to secure these areas with a camera.
Where to Place Outdoor Security Cameras?
There is equal importance in outdoor security camera placement as there is in indoor placement. Here are some ideal outdoor locations you must consider when designing your outdoor security camera placement diagram.
1.Backyard
Your backyards can be targeted by trespassers or burglars. A backyard camera guarantees you can monitor any activity and protect outdoor valuables such as furniture or playground equipment.
2.Driveway
A camera placed in your driveway will help you keep track of your vehicles and the people approaching your home. Consider using outdoor security cameras with motion sensors. These cameras will notify you when vehicles enter their field of view.
3.Patio
Patios are busy areas as they often are connected to doors or windows. It can also add security and peace of mind to be monitoring this area.
4.Pool Area
A camera is useful if you have a pool so you can keep an eye on your kids, pets, and anyone else who shouldn’t be there.
5.Side Gates
Side gates give you entrance to your backyard, or to any private area. Here you can use a camera to keep intruders at bay and alert you if someone tries to enter.
Where Not to Install Security Cameras?
While security cameras are essential, there are some places where they shouldn’t be installed:
- Don’t put cameras in bedrooms or bathrooms to consider privacy.
- Don’t place cameras where they can breach your neighbor’s privacy.
- Do not place cameras in shared areas of rental properties unless it is allowed.
- Don’t use locations where there’s too much sunlight or glare that will distort the footage.
- Don’t point cameras at trees, bushes, or poles since then the view may get blocked.
What to Consider Before Home Security Camera Placement?
Before working on the layout outside the home security camera placement diagram, consider these essential factors to ensure optimal placement and performance:
Glare and lens reflection
Avoid putting position cameras directly in front of sunlight or reflective surfaces that will be sources of glare. If you place your CCTV camera facing a strong light source, such as the sun or artificial lighting, the camera lens will produce a washed-out effect or overexposure.
Lens reflection occurs when light bounces off the surface of the lens. If you accidentally position the camera against a glass window, it may create unwanted reflections that can distort the image or cause “ghosting.”
Hidden or visible placement
Choose whether or not you wish cameras to be discreet (for monitoring) or obvious (as a deterrent). Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you opt to use hidden cameras or place them discreetly, be mindful of privacy issues and notify your visitors about the presence of cameras if necessary.
Property size
Think about how big your property is and how many cameras you will need to cover the important areas best. It will help you choose wide-angle cameras to save installation costs or use multiple cameras for better coverage.
Number of cameras
Find how many cameras you need depending on your security goals and the size of your home. Bigger spaces with more spots to monitor will require more cameras while for smaller units you can get a few wide-angle cameras for efficient coverage.
Weatherproof
The camera should be weatherproof, outdoor cameras will need to cope with rain or snow, and even extreme temperatures. However, if you are not using the camera for outdoor monitoring and installing it indoors then you can save cost by getting a camera with no high-end weatherproofing.
Close to valuables
Plan camera positioning where precious items or entry points are most open to reduce theft. Whenever someone knows that the space is monitored with cameras, they often end up changing their mind due to their safety concerns.
Tips for Placing Security Cameras Outdoors & Indoors
Here are some practical tips for positioning security cameras effectively:
- Put the cameras for unimpeded view and at least 8-10 feet off the ground to prevent tampering.
- Strategically place the cameras to monitor all blind spots to record good footage.
- When installing in low light conditions; use cameras with night vision or place in well-lit areas.
- Mount the cameras up, at an angle to cover wide areas, and minimize blind spots.
- Walk through the monitored areas to test camera placement and fill any gaps in coverage.
- For wireless cameras, you’ll ensure they’re within range of your Wi-Fi network.
- Regularly ensure camera lenses are clean and free of obstructions.
- If you have solar-powered cameras, ensure that the solar panel is clean from dust so that the camera gets enough power.
By following these tips, you will not only place your outdoor and indoor security cameras strategically but keep them running well as well.
FAQs
Where should outdoor security cameras be placed?
Placing cameras outdoors should be in places where you enter your home, such as front and back doors, the garage, driveway, backyard, and back doors.
How high should an outdoor security camera be?
Cameras should be set about 8-10 feet high from the ground. It is of a height that will not allow tampering but will give a clear view of the area.
What is the best position for a security camera?
A good place for a security camera to view the full area of interest from an angle that avoids wasted zones. In fact, outside the cameras, cover the entry points and high traffic areas and avoid any blind spots when placed away from obstructions like poles and trees.
Conclusion
Correct outdoor security camera placement is extremely important in preventing your home and your loved ones from getting hurt. You can position your home’s cameras at the key spots to avoid privacy infringements, and at the same time, you consider glare and coverage as important parameters.
Whether you’re installing indoor or outdoor cameras, these tips will ensure that you set it up for a secure and safe environment. What do you think and what do you have to share or other tips about security camera placement? Comment below!
