Bungalows Kothi's Surveillance

So you have security cameras but you're not sure where to place them? In this post I give you the top spots around the home you should consider putting cameras. Plus I will share some professional tips to ensure you're getting the most out of your security cameras.

Lucky for you, today's security cameras come in all shapes and sizes with wireless IP cameras growing in popularity thanks to their 'plug and play' functionality and their ability to connect to cool software services like Cammy Home Alarm.

These DIY security cameras only require two things:

a) access to power

b) access to wifi

With that said, let's look at where you should place them.

1. Main Entrances

If you were a burglar, you would probably start by checking the front and back doors. Perhaps the owners left it unlocked, or stashed a hidden key under the welcome mat. A few knocks at the front door will reveal if it's occupied and if there is a dog on the premises.

1. Outdoor security camera facing front and back doors

When it comes to placing cameras outdoors, you should choose a security camera that is weather proof and has infrared / night vision capabilities.

An outdoor security camera that is visible from the street is a great deterrent. However, some burglars may sneak around the side or back of the house to break in through the back door.

Outdoor cameras come with a base and some screws so you can secure them to a rooftop. You might need to drill a couple of holes, but that's a small price to pay for the view you're going to get.

Remember, an outdoor security camera needs access to power, so you will need an extension cord that connects to an indoor or outdoor power source.

2. Indoor security cameras facing front and back doors

The other option is to point your cameras at your front and back doors (from inside). The benefit of this angle is that you can clearly identify the face of the person entering.

A bookshelf, mantle piece, cupboard shelf or desk are great flat areas to place cameras.

Pro tip: Avoid placing security cameras too high near doorways and entrances. You want a clear view of the burglar's face so head height views like the above are best.

3. Windows Security

The second most popular entry for burglars is the first floor (ground floor) window. Placing an indoor camera on a table facing the window is the best way to get a clear image of the intruder.

Notice the camera view above is from an angle, do you know why? Because if you point a camera directly at a window there will be too much backlight as shown below. You won't be able to identify a burglar's face.

4. Front yard Security

Appearances matter! Burglars prefer to avoid homes with any type of security, especially a home with security cameras. In fact, homes with visible home security are 300% less likely to be burgled than those without, making cameras visible from the street a great deterrent.

Depending on the size of your yard, the cameras mounted above your door may not be visible from the street. For large homes we recommend placing additional cameras on either side of the house to cover any side entrances or alleys.

Avoid pointing your cameras at a public footpath or road to avoid false alarms and meaningless footage.

5. Backyard / Side Gate Security

A lot of yards back onto other properties, waterways, bushland, parks or laneways. This makes backyards easy to access and easy to escape from.

The backyard is also an area where kids spend a lot of time, so you may want to place a camera here to watch over them.

While one security camera can capture a large area of your backyard, you may need multiple cameras to help identify an intruder. A good location for a camera is at the entrance point to your backyard.

7. Garage Security

Why do burglars break into sheds and garages? Because most of the time, sheds and garages are unoccupied. Plus, they offer access to expensive items like bikes, not to mention potential weapons such as shovels or pitchforks.

The great thing about garages is you usually have access to a powerpoint and lots of shelves so placing security cameras is super easy.

Just remember our pro tip about backlight. Garages and sheds are dark places, so when a garage door opens during daytime your security camera will find it hard to pick up the face of an intruder. To solve the backlight issue, try pointing your security camera at an angle to your garages opening.

8. Thorough Fares

Besides first floor windows, consider monitoring any pathways to the bedrooms of the house as that's where the most valuable items are kept. Better to catch an intruder before they get the bedroom!

It's rarely practical to point multiple cameras at every entry point to the house, especially in larger homes. The best alternative is mounting a camera in a "bottleneck". This can be a hallway, stairway or living room.

The position of the camera is extremely important here. Ensure the camera captures the face of the intruder coming in, not the back of the head on their way out.