The Best Places to Have Security Camera Coverage in Your Home
Wireless or Wi-Fi security cameras are great. Most of them are easy to setup, easy to mount, and they have a variety of features. With the right setup, you can pretty much do away with your conventional security system, dropping that ridiculous monthly fee.
There are a ton of camera brands and models to choose from, and that list only continues to grow. In fact, Ideaing put together a comprehensive list of the best Wi-Fi security cameras, which you can check out here.
I’m going to assume that you already know what they are and what they can do. What I’m actually going to focus on here is something different.
I want to point out some of the places in your home where you might want security coverage.
Front Entryway/Front Yard
If you have a smart video doorbell, then you can skip putting a security camera in your front entryway near your front door. The doorbell will take care of monitoring that area. If you don’t have one, then that’s a great place to install a camera.
Surprisingly, 34% of burglars enter through the front door according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
You can also install a camera facing your front yard, like just above your garage or even on the side of your house angled towards your driveway.
This does several things. First, you can see who or what is approaching your home. If someone parks a vehicle there, you may be able to get the plate numbers. At the least, you should be able to see the make, model, and color of their vehicle.
That way, if someone does break into your home you at least have something to share with the authorities.
Second, if you are home it can help you prepare for whatever may be coming. A lot of these cameras have motion sensors built-in, so you’ll know when someone approaches your home like a salesman, package courier, or someone else entirely.
Inside Foyer
You may have a big foyer or a small one, it doesn’t really matter. Another great place to install a camera is right here, positioned so that it can see your front door and anyone who enters. This will allow you to keep track of who’s coming and going. You will also know if and when someone enters your home that’s not supposed to be there.
Again, it’s always great to have evidence to show the authorities in the event of a break-in.
Back Patio/Backyard
Just like the front of your house, the back may have several places that are worth covering; namely your patio and backyard area.
According to the same report from InterNACHI (linked above), 22% of burglars enter through the back door of a home. This is because glass sliding doors are easy to bypass. A lot of times the locks are weak and can easily be broken. But you can also lift them out of the track and slip inside like nothing ever happened.
Then, of course, there’s the point that it’s simply glass you can smash.
If you have a regular door in the back then it’s still just as easy to break in even with a loud tool such as a hammer or crowbar. Chances are, the back of your home is shielded from view so no one would even see a burglar entering.
Master Bedroom
Did you know that a lot of burglars will immediately head for the master bedroom after gaining entry? This is surprising because the master is usually the farthest room to get to. But when you think about it, it’s smart.
Burglars care more about cash, jewelry, and valuables. Most people feel safe inside their home so if they do hide these things, they don’t hide them well.
Worse yet, burglars will even look under the mattress first which is a common hiding place for a lot of people. If you have a jewelry box or vanity, that’s the next place they’re going.
That’s why it’s a good idea to have a camera covering the master bedroom too. You can always turn it off when you’re home if you’re worried about your own privacy.
Large or Bay Windows
Whether you have a one-story home or a two-story, it doesn’t matter. You probably have at least one large or bay window, and it’s likely near the front of the house. If it’s not, that’s even worse especially if it’s shielded from view.
Many burglars will enter a home through an unlocked door or window. But even if your windows are locked, it’s not difficult to smash the glass especially for something as big as a bay window. Yeah, it might make some noise but if the robbery happens during the day when most of your neighbors aren’t home, no one will be the wiser.
Most burglaries take place during the daylight hours between 10 AM and 3 PM, not at night. So, it’s definitely possible for a burglar to smash a window and ransack your home without getting caught.
A good deterrent is to have a camera pointed right at that window, or covering the room the window is in.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Burglaries are actually tough crimes to solve, especially if a homeowner doesn’t have any evidence. It’s an old stat, but a tiny 13.6% of burglaries that took place in 2014 resulted in arrests.
The way you can solve this — if it does happen to you — is to provide solid evidence. That would come from security footage of the burglars in action. If you can call the police while they’re in your home, you may even be able to stop the burglars before they make off with your stuff.
