If you are installing your own surveillance systems, you will want to make the most of your new equipment by ensuring it is in the right place to cover as much ground as possible. We have compiled a list of handy tips compiled by installers with years expertise, so that you can rest assured your property and occupants are safe.

The most vulnerable part of most properties will be the main points of entry. As the bottom floor is the easiest to get to and compromise security, it’s important that you have enough cameras to ensure all of your entry points are covered, providing a close up of anyone that visits. Although you need to concentrate on the doors you should also count the any garages as entry points too especially if they have access straight to the main property.

The front door especially should have two cameras if possible, the first should be placed over the door so that you are able to see the face of visitors or intruders and the second should be further back so you can see what any visitors are up to. Night vision is definitely a worthwhile investment too as it’s the time when you will be vulnerable and potential intruders can go undetected.

Wireless cameras offer you more flexibility as to where they can be placed however being battery operated you will also have to bear in mind how far the router is to the device. If the WiFi signal to the camera is low then it can take up more battery life trying to re-connect to the network. The closer to the router the better the battery life.

Although the main concentration is going to be on the property entrances you need to make sure that all potential hiding places are caught on camera. This could be a bush, the place where your van is parked of an evening or high fences/décor. If you have to make a report to the police of an attempted burglary then you will have clear evidence of the perpetrator looking around the building.

If installing cameras for a business, any doors that need a specific card or code to be punched in should be covered by the cameras. Don’t forget to also ensure you have placed security cameras anywhere that is secluded. Maybe there is an area where staff go out on their lunch break which during the day is more than likely fine, however during the evening secluded areas are targeted by criminals looking to take advantage. This will also allow you to record the comings and goings of anyone that is acting suspicious potentially preventing a crime from occurring.

Although this may seem obvious to most, placing any security cameras within the reach of the average person makes it easier for them to be disabled. In the past it has been reported that burglars have successfully gone undetected by using spray paint and even cutting the camera wires. The best way that you can avoid this is to put the security cameras up as high as possible. As well as being harder to tamper with you will also have a wider vision field. To keep focus on entrances you can angle cameras for a better shot. Of course although higher is better do ensure you are still able to get a clear visual of any visitors wanted or unwanted.

Once everyone gets used to the security cameras they tend not to take as much notice of them being there and continue as normal. This makes great potential for creating your own reality TV. The recent live stream function on social media could grab the attention of followers and you can share the crazy things your family get up to when they think no one is watching. If you are hosting an event and a few invitees are unable to attend you could record and live feed the whole thing so that people that can’t come in person don’t miss out on a night to remember.

How many times have you missed something special and wish that you had gotten to your camera on time? With security cameras even if you’re out at work you could catch your baby’s first steps on video to relive the moment you thought you had missed.

We have all lost things that we know we put somewhere safe but can’t remember where. A video surveillance camera system could help you to find out where the keys went, who had the remote last and who’s had their hand in the cookie jar, or your wallet/purse.

If you have a bug or even rodent problem, it’s not always easy to track down the nest or how that fox keeps getting into your garden and terrorising your chickens. Installing night vision cameras with a motion detector will help you to find out exactly where they are coming from so you can deal with the problem.

If you are placing your cameras in a place of work then you will be able to keep an eye out on your workers. The majority of employees will work better when they are being watched than when their hierarchy leaves the room. As the staff will not know when the cameras are being watched they are more likely to work to their full potential. You can even keep an eye on customers if you wish to see what areas people are drawn to and shopping habits so that you can change the layout if necessary to showcase new stock.