A good security camera will keep your smart home safe from uninvited guests. Just don’t place them in these places.
A smart home is a valuable investment, and you obviously want to keep a close eye on it. What better way than with security cameras? But beware: if you place them in the wrong places, they can become completely useless.
From blurry images to annoyed neighbors, you don’t want to provoke privacy arguments or put up a camera that doesn’t actually capture anything. That’s why we’ve listed the places it’s best not to install your security cameras.
Smart home blunder: don’t place your security cameras in these places
A security camera must hang in a smart place to be truly effective. So these locations are best avoided.
#1 Places where privacy is sacred
You want to secure your home, not record an episode of Big Brother. So bathrooms, bedrooms and other private spaces are really not places for security cameras. Not only because of privacy, but also because it may even be illegal in some cases.
If you do need a camera in your bedroom (for example, if you have roommates), make sure it is visible and that everyone in your Smart Home knows about it.
#2 Pointing right at the neighbor’s house
Nothing more annoying than an argument with the neighbors because your security camera accidentally looks into their living room. Legally, they have a right to privacy, and if your camera is filming their yard or windows, that could cause problems.
The solution? Many modern cameras for in your Smart Home have privacy zones that you can set to block certain areas. So use those properly.
Not next door (Image: Unsplash)
#3 Hidden corners in your smart home that you don’t see anyway
You may be thinking, “I’ll put a camera in that dark alley because that’s where a burglar is likely to get in.” But in reality, most burglars enter through the front door or a low window.
According to figures from security company ADT, 34% of burglars choose the front door and 22% choose a first floor window. So focus on the places that are really at risk.
#4 Behind obstacles such as trees or furniture
A security camera overlooking a nice, green hedge sounds smart. Until you realize that the branches move because of the wind, causing your camera to continuously send notifications. Make sure the camera has a clear view and isn’t hiding somewhere where a pet, door or toddler running around keeps nudging it.
Nothing to see (Image: Unsplash)
#5 Don’t place your security cameras behind a window in your smart home
It may seem like a clever hack: placing an indoor camera right behind a window to film the outside. But glass windows cause reflections and glare, especially in sunlight or darkness. You end up with blurry images you can’t do anything with. If you really want to film outside, use a camera mounted outside.
#6 Close to heat sources or vents
Cameras and heat sources don’t mix well. If you place them near a fireplace, dryer, or other vent, you’re likely to get dirt on the lens, overheat, and faster battery wear. So avoid places in your smart home where heat and smoke blow directly on the camera.
