How you can choose the best CCTV Cameras for your home

October 20, 2021

When
it comes to upgrading your home security, a new alarm, the addition of security
lighting and, more recently, smart doorbells, have become the ‘go to’ solutions
when it comes to making necessary home improvements.

But
CCTV has long been the perfect home security upgrade, particularly during the winter
months, when keeping an eye on your home when you’re out and about is paramount
to keep the opportunists at bay.

Not only are security cameras an effective visual deterrent, but, with the introduction of a range of smart solutions, they are also a handy gadget to allow you to keep tabs on your home from anywhere with your smartphone. And with a wide range of CCTV cameras on the market, it’s essential to ensure you choose the best solution to suit your home.

So,
to give a helping hand this National Home Security Month, the home security
experts at Yale have shared their advice on what to look out for when choosing
your new CCTV cameras, so you can pick the perfect option for you.

Location,
location, location

It’s
essential to understand where you will be placing your security cameras before choosing
your CCTV, as this can inform the best option for your needs.

For
example, if you have a large stretch of land or big garden that you want to
keep an eye on, we recommend opting for a camera which has a larger range, as
this will be better equipped to protect your home throughout the day and night.

Most
CCTV kits now come with a range of different camera options, usually ranging
from 2 to 8 cameras, which make personalising your camera kit even easier.

With
Yale’s Smart CCTV kits, you can keep a check on all external areas
of your property, allowing you to monitor them with ease from your smartphone.

For
keeping an eye on the entrance to your home, you can also have a dedicated
front door security camera to monitor any wanted, or unwanted, visitors to your
home. Our Front Door Camera is a great option to ensure the front of your
home stays looking aesthetically pleasing whilst keeping an eye on any comings
or goings. What’s more, you can even chat to delivery drivers or guests via the
two-way talk functionality, and the built-in spotlight is also efficient at
providing clear footage of your home around the clock.

The
functionality

When
choosing your new CCTV system, you should also consider the functionalities you
require to ensure you get the most from your camera.

We
would recommend checking the IP rating of your kit, which ensures that the
camera can withstand the Great British all-weather seasons. All our security
cameras are either IP65 or IP67 rated, so you’re safe in the knowledge your
camera footage will be clear and crisp, come rain or shine.

If
you find yourself out of the house regularly, a smart system is also a worthy
investment, allowing you to always be in the know over what’s happening at home
through smartphone functionality.

A
security camera with motion detection functionality is also a great option.
This means that if any visitors, delivery drivers or unwanted opportunists head
to your door, this will immediately be picked up by your camera, and notify you
of this motion via your smartphone.

The
installation

With
a range of smart security cameras available on the market, there are also a variety
of ways these can be installed. Some kits have simple DIY installation to
provide a quick and easy setup to start protecting your home right away, such
as the Yale All-in-One Camera. This handy security camera is quick and easy
to set up and can easily be attached to the outside of your home.

The
installation of a wired system that has a range of cameras can prove a bit
trickier for a DIYer, so may require a professional installer to fit your CCTV.
When purchasing from a brand like Yale, there is an option to have a
professional install the camera, which offers the ultimate peace of mind knowing
that your new CCTV system is correctly set up and in the perfect position for
the layout of your home.

With
such a range of CCTV camera options on the market, it’s important to do your
research and understand your needs before making a purchase. Being such an
effective first line of defence for your home, it’s essential that you choose
the best security cameras to suit your needs and requirements.

At Yale,
all of our outdoor security cameras, including the Smart CCTV kits
and All In One Cameras,
come, as standard, with an ‘Image Masking’ feature, which is controlled via the
handy Yale View App.

When
setting up your cameras, the image masking functionality allows users to simply
select the areas that need to be covered by the motion detection feature,
whilst ignoring any others that do not require camera coverage.

Not only
does this provide complete control for users, but homeowners can also ensure
they are complying with privacy laws and not collecting footage from
neighbouring homes.

Yale also
provides window stickers in all its CCTV or security camera kits to allow
homeowners to clearly display that their home is being monitored, ensuring that
they are taking responsibility for not encroaching on a neighbour’s privacy.

We would
always advise anyone using outdoor cameras to make sure the position of your
cameras comply with your legal obligations under the data protection laws. More
information on this can be found on the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)
website.

For more information about how you can choose
the best CCTV cameras for your home, or for further details on the National
Home Security Month campaign, please explore the website or follow #NHSM21 on
social media.