Make sure you’re avoiding these major home camera blunders before you wrap up your security camera installation or go on vacation.

We’ve got both good and terrible news. The good news is that installing a home security camera is now simpler than ever thanks to a variety of wireless, battery-operated versions and useful video doorbells that allow you to quickly set up your house, porch, shipments, pets, and much more. With the help of these cameras’ motion detection, two-way audio, and object recognition features, you can stay in control and get alerts from anywhere.

The bad news is that placing a security camera in the improper location may not only stop it from operating, but it may also cause false alerts, waste you time, or put you in legal hot water with a neighbor. If you’re out of town and unable to resolve the issue right away, it’s much more unpleasant. When installing your new camera, stay out of these danger zones to prevent major difficulties.

Places with the ‘expectation of privacy

Although you need your security camera to keep your house secure, you don’t want it to compromise other people’s safety. Don’t put a camera in an area where individuals have what the law refers to as a reasonable expectation of privacy, since this might violate the law and lead to litigation.

In actuality, avoid installing a security camera in a space where people anticipate a high level of privacy, such as a bathroom or bedroom. Make sure the camera is visible and that everyone in the home is aware of it if you must install one in one of these locations (for example, to keep an eye on your bedroom in a multi-rental arrangement). Since there is no expectation of privacy in public locations, such as the sidewalk or roadway that passes your house, outside cameras are permitted to record these areas. Keep in mind that your camera is a tool to keep you and your house secure and contributes to a feeling of security. Verify that your cameras are not positioned in a way that will make them useless or, worse, jeopardize someone’s safety.

Looking directly at a neighbor’s property

Be cautious when placing security cameras so that a portion of their vision includes a neighbor’s windows or backyard, in addition to safeguarding all the private areas on your property. Legally speaking, your neighbors have the same right to privacy in those areas, and cases have been filed over much less. Additionally, you should strive to eliminate even the impression of cameras peering into your neighbors’ windows or pointing toward their property. The ability to establish “privacy zones” that exclude some regions from the camera’s live view or recording is a feature of many contemporary security cameras. You may be able to demonstrate your privacy zones to a neighbor who complains, proving that no area of their house is being filmed.

Difficult-to-see locations

You may feel pressured to install cameras in hard-to-see areas of your house. This is for an intuitive reason: It seems like someone could be hiding somewhere if you can’t see it from your windows or doors. You may assume that a burglar would prefer to break into these concealed places. Typically, the most apparent routes are used by thieves to access a house. Data gathered by security firm ADT shows that 22% of criminals enter via a first-floor window and 34% enter through the front door. The most popular paths for break-ins are the most obvious entrance locations. By pointing a camera in these areas, you may help identify anybody trying to enter and discourage burglaries.

Although installing a security camera at the rear of your house or in a side lane may seem like a good way to capture someone skulking, it’s more likely to miss the activity. Look for a package that contains numerous cameras to place in various areas if you really need to keep an eye on the concealed spots. For example, this set of Arlo Pro 4 spotlight cameras has motion sensor lights incorporated in to further discourage attackers.

Behind obstructions

Although it may seem simple, camera obstacles aren’t often so evident; for example, in an outdoor setting, this may mean making room for tree branches to sway in the wind. Tree branches that become more heavier when filled with spring leaves or flowers and will obstruct your vision should be avoided, as should fast-growing plants that would force you to reposition your camera every year or two. Your installation can benefit from a little pruning session.

Take into account the inside view of your camera as well. When you open and shut internal doors, will your camera see everything you want it to? Additionally, you should keep the camera out of any areas where a pet may touch it. Will your cat knock it off if you put it on a shelf? Will a boisterous dog running through the house knock it down or alter its trajectory? Toddlers who race are no different.

Choose a location where you can see the area you want to observe well and where you, your guests, or your four-legged companion are unlikely to stumble into each other.

Through a window

We understand how tempting it is to spend less on an indoor-only camera and consider placing it near a window to obtain a clear view of the outside world. Attempting this has two major issues.

First, glare is an issue with windows. When the sun is at a specific angle or it’s dark outside, the view often doesn’t function, even when the camera is pushed up to the glass. Dust on the glass over time leads to similar problems. Second, there are relatively few views and perspectives available via windows in homes. Key entrance points and a wide view of a driveway or yard are not likely to be seen to cameras.

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or guarantee compliance with local laws. Always follow local privacy regulations and consult professional guidance when installing security cameras. All product mentions are for illustration only and do not imply endorsement. This content complies with Google AdSense policies and avoids misleading or invasive recommendations.