Do Home Security Cameras Prevent Crime?

It’s likely that we’re all more security-conscious than we might think - how often do you check your back door to make sure it’s properly shut or go back outside to make sure that you locked the car? For a lot of us, it’s something we do automatically, but people are taking more and more measures to ensure their home and its contents are safe. Taking out home insurance will cover your belongings against damage or theft, but it doesn’t stop these items from being damaged or taken in the first place. This may explain why more people are choosing to install home alarms and security cameras than ever before. But do these things actually help to prevent burglaries and keep your home safe?

A survey completed by the University of North Carolina showed that 60 per cent of burglars would check for cameras before entering a property and of that 60 per cent, just under half wouldn’t bother to attempt entry. These stats show that home cameras can help to prevent burglaries all over the world.

Now you know that home security cameras can help to prevent crime, how do you install a system and how many cameras do you need?

How many cameras should I install for home security?

The number of cameras you should install depends on the size of your home and how many different access points there are. You should make sure that each camera covers each entrance and exit, such as a front and back door, and that there aren’t too many blind spots. Don’t forget that burglars can enter through your windows too, so lots of blind spots may mean that they won’t be spotted by your cameras.

As a minimum, you should have a camera above each door into your home, as well as one pointing at a garage, shed or other outbuilding that may contain valuable equipment. Additional cameras may be needed for blind spots. Don’t forget that if you want to store the recording, you may need a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to keep any footage for a certain amount of time.

Can I install security cameras myself?

You can install a security camera system at home yourself without the help of a professional, however it’s important to follow the provided instructions. These systems need to be installed correctly if you want them to work properly.

How to install a wireless security camera system at home

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that a ‘wireless’ system refers to the data from the camera being sent to a data storer via the WiFi - they still need mains electricity to work and therefore still need to be connected with wires. If you’re not confident about installing it yourself, call a professional.

It’s a good idea to work out where you want your cameras to be located before drilling holes on the outside walls. This task is easiest with two people. One person should put the camera in position against the house while the other checks the camera angle. They should make sure that it’s pointing where you want it to and that it’s not aimed too much at the sky or a neighbouring property. Once you’ve found the best position, you can drill holes in the walls and fit the camera brackets.

Next, you need to think about where the wires from the cameras will go. Generally, they will come into the house from the camera and run down a wall, so try to find the nearest route to the power supply. You can tidy the wires up later, filling any holes or using junction boxes to hide cables and connectors.

Once the cameras are mounted and the cables are in place, you can plug it into the main box and turn it on. You may find that it’s better to store the box in the loft where the cables can all be hidden more easily. Alternatively, you can drill two holes - one where the bracket for the camera will go and one slightly lower down so that the cable can come through a wall where it won’t really be seen. Then, the cable can be plugged directly into the mains at a plug socket. This just means you may have a few visible wires on the outside of your house.

Once the system is plugged in, check that you’re happy with the camera angles. Some systems come with an app, so as long as you have WiFi or data, you can see your property from wherever you are.

Remember to avoid hiding your cameras - they act as a deterrent for burglars and so you want to make sure they can see them clearly from the road.