Around 94 million homes across America have some type of security system in place. Security options have advanced massively in recent years, and they’re now more accessible than ever, ranging from full monitored security alarms to home CCTV and doorbell video recording, meaning more and more people can protect their homes properly.
But what is the best way to implement your security system for optimal coverage and increased protection? Because really, if your system isn’t delivering this, it’s already failing you.
Let’s take a look at 4 ways you can improve your home security system setup for peace of mind.
Cover Entry Points First
This is how someone new would get onto your property, so it makes sense it’s the first place to cover.
While focusing your cameras on the driveway, porch, and the street are good starting points, unwanted visitors mostly gain access via weak spots such as side gates, backyards, and garage entry points. And this is where you need to focus on, too. If you don’t have good coverage here, you’re leaving your home exposed.
The idea is to deliver direct coverage to any spaces people can gain entry, not the obvious points, and cover all routes clearly.
Position Cameras to Capture Faces
It can be really easy to position your camera high up, thinking it captures more. And while it will capture a wider area, it won’t capture the details you need if someone accesses your property.
For a useful recording, you need at least a camera at face level or one that can self-adjust when motion is detected for a better angle. So when someone comes down your driveway, lands on your doorstep, etc., you see a clear picture of their face.
A 5MP BNC camera system can deliver the clarity you need here, but it will only work if you have it placed correctly to capture faces. A higher resolution means nothing if it’s positioned too high. So when you’re scoping out placement, have someone stand in front of the camera to get an idea of what you can expect to see and make sure it’s capturing what you need.
Avoid Overlapping coverage
More cameras don’t automatically mean better coverage.
And this is a common trap homeowners can fall into. They think that two or three cameras at the front offer more protection. But if that’s at the expense of leaving the backyard or any side entrances with no coverage, it’s not effective.
Instead of overlapping, spread the cameras out over your blind spots. You do not want to leave any areas with no or minimal visibility while overloading other spaces.
Check Night Visibility
Daytime footage doesn’t tell the full story. And when a lot of suspicious activity occurs overnight, you want to know your system can capture activity in any light.
The best way to do this is to check coverage after dark in real-life conditions. Look at how cameras handle light, or how any security lighting you have impacts the property and the footage you capture.
From here, you can adjust camera angles, placements, or lighting to optimize the clarity of the footage and anything that might be impacting what the cameras can pick up.
