For most individuals, home is the safest place in the world. A sense of belonging and trust that comes with knowing the people around you, turns a four-walled house into a space of comfort.
Beyond the shield of walls; however, there are numerous other ways to safeguard your private property. Smart doorbells, door access control, burglar alarms and CCTV cameras are to name a few. For a smart home, the following blog digs into the processes of choosing, installing and maintaining a surveillance camera system.
Why Install CCTV Cameras at Home?
Time to time, people upgrade their living spaces and add items and devices to enhance the appearance and security of their property. There are several reasons one may incline towards installing an indoor or outdoor CCTV camera system. This could include:
Security
The most common purpose of CCTV cameras is to make the surroundings of your property securer. A study conducted by the University of North Carolina found that an outdoor surveillance camera reduces the chances of invasion by 50%. Another Chicago based study discovered that installation of additional security cameras around the city reduced the overall criminal activity by 12%.
An outdoor CCTV camera also makes your neighbourhood safer. It deters crime around the property and overall improves the activity of a community.
Legal Usage
In case of burglary or any other form of crime in or outside your property, CCTV footage from your surveillance camera can be of significant utility. Chunks from your CCTV recordings can be admissible in courts as circumstantial evidence and may prove vital in charging a perpetrator.
Insurance Benefits
Insurance companies charge less monthly/ biannual surcharge to property owners that have advanced safety and security features in their houses. Installation of a full-fledged CCTV camera system may cost a lot at once but it will also help you save hundreds on other fronts.
Compliance with ICO Guidelines in the UK
If you install a surveillance camera on your property that records beyond the bounds of your premises, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) apply to you. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulates and implements these laws. In light of these laws, ICO has issued 12 guidelines for domestic installation of surveillance cameras. Some of these are:
- The security camera system should be used responsibly and transparently
- Individual privacy (of owners and neighbours) should be considered during installation
- Anyone in the area of surveillance should know that they are being recorded (through a signpost)
- Recordings from cameras should be stored safely and privately with limited access
- No footage or image from the records should be used or shared (eg on social media) unless asked by a legal order
- All recorded images, videos and audios should be deleted permanently after a certain period of time
How to Install a CCTV Camera in Your Home
With homeowners becoming more concerned with their safety, CCTV security systems have never been more in demand.
DotCom Solution provides a detailed step-by-step manual on how to install a camera in your home and all the necessary equipment you would require to monitor it post-installation.
Types of Security Cameras
The first and foremost step is to choose the most feasible type of camera from the following list:
Box Cameras
The most basic form of CCTV cameras take after their name. They are small, rectangular cameras that require minimal effort to install and can be placed both indoors and outdoors.
PTZ Cameras
PTZ stands for Pan, Tilt, and Zoom. These are handy cameras with these features enabling you to survey wider areas and monitor movement. The zoom feature is especially handy in surveilling suspicious activity.
IP Cameras
For areas and property with low light and visibility, these day/night IP cameras offer increased protection. Their Internet Protocol allows them to transmit digital signals over the internet, allowing for remote access and monitoring.
An added feature is thermal imaging that allows you to monitor even through complete darkness, fog, dust and smoke.
Panoramic Cameras
These come in various styles and are optimal for environments prone to dust and dirt. Choosing a wide dynamic angle camera will allow you to monitor an area in any level of lighting due to its automatic pixel balancing, making them perfect for indoor and outdoor monitoring.
Installation
Now that you have chosen the camera, here is what you need to do next:
1.Install the Home Security Panel
Choosing a spot near your entry door and a power source is of paramount importance. You will simply need a hammer and nails to install the panel.
2. Placing Sensors and Detectors
Including basic door, window and motion sensors is a vital step. They usually come with an adhesive backing that allows them to stick and be moved if needed.
3. Testing the system
All you need to do now is follow the instructions on the security system manual to test the system and make sure everything works properly.
Maintenance
Regularly conducting a check of your security systems will ensure that you are aware of any blind spots or outdated components. Proper maintenance is a long term investment that protects your home and allows integration with other security systems in case of upgrades or renovations. One of the ICO guidelines also declares it mandatory to keep the cameras clean, to change cabling when required and to update softwares regularly.
Final Note!
Although you can install a basic CCTV system at home, it is always advisable to seek professional assistance. DOTCOM SOLUTION specialises in compliance with safety standards, providing viable security solutions and offering customer-friendly packages. Hire us today and turn your house into a smart home!
FAQs
- What kind of camera should be used for outdoor surveillance?
CCTV or wired, an outdoor camera should be resistant to weather conditions. It should also have an IP rating of 66. It should be installed high above the ground to avoid vandalization.
- How do I cover the wires of my surveillance system?
You can paint the areas around the wires with the same colour or hide them with brackets. A rather expensive option would be putting the wires through ceilings or walls.
- How fast should my Internet be for remote viewing?
The footage from your camera uploads to Cloud. Hence, your broadband should have a minimum of 2 mbps upload speed.