Security cameras are indispensable tools for keeping your family and property safe and for assisting law enforcement in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals. However, as with any home security solution, cameras need to be used properly in order to provide the most benefit. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your camera system.

Do:

Install cameras in the most useful locations.

You want your cameras to have a full, clear, and protected view of the areas they are surveilling. That typically means installing them where the roof connects with the wall, as this spot offers a high vantage point while the roof overhang shields the camera from the elements. They should also be high enough that criminals cannot tamper with them or disconnect them. If a camera is within reach of the ground, install a protective plate around it.

Attach them securely.

It's not uncommon for walls to vibrate or rattle, often as a result of slamming doors, loud noises, or even heavy footsteps. This can be bad news for your security cameras, rendering them less effective by producing distorted images or damaging any of their various components. If you're concerned about shaking walls, have the installer use additional mounting equipment to keep your cameras securely in place.

Don't:

Monitor just the front door.

The front door is not the only vulnerable spot in your home; it's just the most obvious. Thirty-four percent of criminals gain access via the front door, while 22% enter through the back door, and 23% use first-floor windows. Garage doors, basements, unlocked sheds and storage spaces, and second-floor windows make up the rest of the most common entry points. Protect your home as much as possible, and, at a minimum, install cameras at the front and back doors and on each side of the house to monitor first-floor windows.

Forget about lighting.

Home burglaries can happen any time of the day or night. When they occur at night, dark conditions can make it considerably more difficult to detect movement or identify suspects. This is why you might want to invest in cameras with infrared lights, or pair your cameras with motion-detecting lights. Either option offers better illumination—and, by extension, better home security.

Have the professionals at Delhi Telephone Company install your cameras. They offer security solutions with tamper-resistant technology and 24/7 emergency response. Serving the Delhi, NY, area for more than a century, they also provide phone and internet service. Call (607) 746-1500 to request a quote, or visit them online to browse their products.