In many people’s minds, surveillance systems are meant for commercial security in order to monitor customers and prevent thefts and break-ins. Security cameras can be a vital piece of your home’s security too, however. There are million of home invasions each year in the US. While alarm systems are a great way to deter criminals and alert authorities should someone break in, they don’t record evidence of the crime. That’s why having a surveillance system in place is a good idea. It could be the difference in losing your stuff, and being able to find the culprit and recover it. Your surveillance system should avoid these common mistakes that makes them less effective, however.
Improper Installation
Just like a home security system, a surveillance system requires professional installation to ensure it works effectively when you need it. In most cases, you won’t realize your system is configured incorrectly until it fails to record a break-in. That’s why it’s important to use a trusted installer from the beginning. Common issues we’ve noticed is installing wireless cameras out of range where they won’t operate, incorrectly positioning cameras so there are multiple blind spots, and failing to consider lighting when installing. These are simple concerns for a professional, but common mistakes made by a do-it-yourselfer that can cost you.
Not Enough Cameras
Some believe that having a single camera in front of their front door will be enough to be effective. While it’s true that burglars will take notice of this lone camera and potentially move on to the next house, it’s also likely that they’ll find an alternate way in and never be detected by your camera. Your home has many potential entry points and cameras should be set up throughout to ensure that any criminal activity can be recorded. A general, simple rule of thumb is that the larger the residence, the more cameras you need.
No Integration
Having the ability to go back and watch a recording is an important aspect of a home surveillance system, but it isn’t the only feature that’s required. In some cases, you may not even know that an intruder has been in your home, so you need an alert to tell you to go check the footage. The most effective surveillance systems are able to alert you when they capture something of interest, offer you the ability to watch the feed from virtually anywhere, and integrate with your other security tools to create a complete home security system. Without these features, your security cameras will never be effective.
At BSG, we’ve been installing surveillance and security systems for San Antonio families since 1995. Call to speak to our Sales Team Today 855-MTSMARTHOME with help picking out the right security equipment for your home.
