Did you know that aside from barking dogs, CCTVs are the best deterrent of burglaries? This comes from former burglars themselves, so we’re inclined to take their word for it.
Most burglars are looking for an easy way in, not planning heists weeks in advance. If breaking in seems to be too difficult after scoping out a home, they tend to move on and look for another target.
However, it’s not enough to know this. You must also know where to place security cameras to maximize their potential.
Learn where you should install security cameras below.
1. Front Door
According to statistics, 34% of burglars enter through the front door. That aside, it’s where most — if not all — people will go through to enter or exit your home. This makes your front door your highest priority.
This way, you can keep tabs on everyone going in and out of your home, including visitors, maintenance people, neighbors, missionaries, and more. Having a CCTV on your front door is a good deterrent for burglars and package thieves, as well.
2. Back Door or Side Door
If you have a back door, that’s a likely entry point, too, as the statistics above state 22% of burglars use it to enter a home. It’s unsurprising, especially if your door is out of the line of sight of neighbors. It allows unwanted visitors to come in undetected.
It makes sense to put one here, too, even if you and your visitors don’t use it that much. You’ll have a full view of everyone coming in and out of your house this way.
3. First-Floor Windows
First-floor windows are huge targets, as well; 23% of burglars use these as their entry point. Aside from ensuring they’re locked at night, get a camera for them, too.
If your CCTVs in the front door and back door have a good view of the windows, you’ve got it covered. Otherwise, you may want to install another one to remove your blind spots.
4. Yard
If you have a yard, make sure your camera has a view of it, too. Even if it’s not a potential entry point (e.g. it doesn’t lead to the inside of your home via a back door or a window), it pays to set up a camera here, too.
Doing this will allow you to see if anyone is trespassing or scoping out your house. It’s also convenient for watching your kids, pets, and wildlife that may be wandering around.
5. Driveway
Place a camera overlooking your driveway for the same reason as the above. It helps you pick up signs of suspicious activity. Check out the benefits of having driveway alarms here.
They may be scoping out your home by lurking in the perimeters of your driveway. They may also walk down it to access your garage, which brings us to the next point.
6. Garage
If you look at the statistics, you’ll also see that 9% of burglars enter through the garage. This is dangerous because having access to the garage also gives them access to tools. They may use these to enter your home.
The garage is also where many families store their expensive tools and sports equipment. A burglar doesn’t even have to enter the home to get valuable stuff.
As such, it’s a good place for a security camera, as well.
7. Hallway
If you’re wondering where to place security cameras indoors, the hallways in your home are your best bet. Placing one here instead of individual rooms will ensure no one gets to move around your home undetected.
Even if someone were able to sneak inside the bathroom unseen, they won’t be able to go room to room without going through the hallway.
8. On Top of the Staircase
Your stairway is also a good place to put a security camera, but make sure it’s pointing down. This is especially effective if it has a clear view of the front door.
Even if that’s not the case, it will still be helpful if you place it at a spot that looks over a large part of the lower floor. You might be able to capture a part of the hallway and some entrances to your rooms.
Nonetheless, you’ll still have a good look at whoever goes up or down the stairs. This comes in handy when someone creeps up to the bedrooms from the living room.
9. Common Areas
If you have a limited number of cameras, consider the locations we mentioned above first. But if you have more, you can also install one in a common area, like the kitchen or the living room.
This is more useful for when you’re monitoring someone rather than catching a burglar, though. You can use it to make sure the babysitter is doing their job properly, for instance. You can also use it to see if your children haven’t trashed the place yet.
Still, if you have big windows in these areas that are potential entry points, it might be worth it to install some cameras here, too.
10. Basement
Around only 4% of burglars enter via the basement, according to the statistics earlier. Although that number is quite low, it tells that it’s still a possibility.
If you have a basement with access to the outside, look into placing a camera here, as well. It may not be your first choice when you consider where is the best place to put security cameras, but it will help put you at ease.
Learn How and Where to Place Security Cameras
Aside from knowing where to place security cameras, you need to know how to place them the proper way, too. For example, you should place it high enough so that people wouldn’t be able to reach it without much effort (and in turn, getting attention from neighbors).
On the other hand, you shouldn’t place it too high to get better coverage. You might not be able to distinguish the physical features of a person this way.
There are lots of other things to consider in the security camera placement. Head on over to our other posts to learn more or read our tips about what to do in a home invasion.