One camera CCTV may work well but miss an event. More often than not, the camera is not the issue at all. The reason is where the camera has been placed.
Homeowners also tend to neglect side gates and driveways. A camera may cover the front door directly but leave one side of your property completely out of view. But doing so is difficult, so to fill those gaps before they can be exploited you need careful CCTV installation in Melbourne.
The Ease of Missing Side Gates
While most access points to a yard are between the front columns and wall of the house or garage (where 95% of burglaries occur), side gates can give criminals easy, or worse, unsupervised access from neighbouring houses, gardens or land. They are also often away from main street.
If someone approaches from the side, a camera looking at the front entrance might not see them. Mounds, fences, walls, trees, and nearby buildings can expand this blind spot even further.
To expect to see the approach and not be blocked or obscured by it, a camera nearby that side gate would zero in on its opening.
More than a Wide View for Driveways
Another common CCTV blind spot is driveways. With one camera by the front door, many homeowners might think they are covering the whole driveway.
That is not always the case.
The angle of the vehicle can sometimes fizzle out. There is also an important area blocked by a parked car. At night, this glare may make identification even more difficult!
When getting home CCTV installation in Melbourne, check the camera angle from multiple locations. That helps to identify parts that could be out of frame.
Check What Happens at Night
A day-ready camera does not necessarily ripen into a night patient. Poor image quality can be linked to driveway lighting, headlights, and dark corners.
Test the system at night. Do not assume the camera can see clear because it looks bright and sunny to our eyes.
If you are scheduling CCTV installation in Melbourne, ask the installer to show how good the cameras work in daylight and also after-dark settings.
Don’t Forget Privacy and Neighbours
Try to have CCTV that focuses on your property as much as possible. Do not set a camera to film on locations that have a strong chance of filming the private areas in the neighbours’ property.
According to the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, all privacy obligations depend on how surveillance is used and circumstances surrounding it. Homeowners must take into account what privacy laws may apply before putting in cameras.
A Simple Blind Spot Check
Cycle through the live feeds as you walk around your property. Check:
- Side gates
- Driveway entrances
- Garage approaches
- Rear doors
- Paths beside the house
- Areas covered by fences or vehicles
Have one person walk through these areas while you view the footage. A simple test can indicate your gaps fast.
When Professional Installation Makes Sense
You could manage the easiest DIY cameras, but additional step-up larger properties can benefit from you planning out. A professional can evaluate camera angles, light machinery, network coverage, and recording requirements.
When it comes to home CCTV installation in Melbourne, the objective should not be to install the greatest number of cameras. The goal is to position the correct cameras in places where they have good coverage without crossing over each other.
Final Thoughts
Focus especially on the side gates and driveways when planning security cameras for the home. You cannot protect blind areas with something that only looks at the front door.
Check the camera angles both day and night, check for any physical obstructions, as well as just testing it from various locations. However, careful installation of cameras can help them eliminate the most common blind spots and create a more effective surveillance system.