Burglary and theft are nothing new. Since man first became civilized, he challenged the lives of other people at every step. No development in the economic set up of the nation can lower the level of crime.
In spite of so much improvement around, safety is still one of the most common issues we all face. With increasing complaints about theft and robbery threats, a range of security surveillance systems has entered the market. While some are extremely handy or beneficial, others often fail to serve their purpose.
If you think that you live in a crime-free and peaceful region, just stop and think again. Considering the unstable condition of the job market, the number of criminal activities can increase over time. Just because your neighbours are nice and hospitable doesn’t mean that you won’t experience any theft or vandalism.
The following is a good checklist to go through before leaving your home empty or for beefing up your protection against burglary.
CCTV Installation
CCTV cameras are normally used as a part of an efficient surveillance and security system. These cameras are used globally to stop any forms of criminal activity. The captured footage can be used as a form of evidence too. They are an effective tool to keep track of any activity in an area. It captures a stream of video from a camera, transferring it to a screen for monitoring and/or recording. You can usually find them on trains and bus stations, in malls, airports, public places and other establishments, and they are often used by different companies.
Today, it’s getting increasingly popular among home owners, for additional security in their homes. But with the range of different types and brands of CCTV to choose from, finding the right one to buy can be a pain. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing one that will fit your needs.
CCTV Facts
Some things you should keep in mind before you purchase a security camera are the types of output it gives, the location where you plan to place it, and its controls. Knowing these will shorten the list of CCTV options to choose from.
There are two types of signals that a CCTV sends to the monitor: digital and analogue. Analogue CCTV relays video through coaxial cables, while a digital CCTV camera uses a twisted pair of cables to transmit video. Most digital CCTV cameras usually have an internet protocol (IP) so that they can be networked. This is mostly used in large buildings or homes that are most likely to be targeted by burglars.
Now think where you want to place your CCTV cameras. Do you want to put them inside your home or building, or outside? Some cameras and standard box cameras are popular for indoor use.
However, an indoor camera will do nothing but record the burglary once it has happened – it will not even make the criminal think twice before breaking in. This is why we recommend going for outdoor cameras – and not just any CCTV cameras. Our remote monitored CCTV system can not only capture footage – it can help prevent crime as well.
When you decide to place a camera outdoors, you should choose one that could withstand all weather conditions. They usually have an enclosure or cover that can protect them from snow, rain, dust, and super high or low temperature. Maybe you have seen one already, for example outside government offices. The most common type is called a bullet CCTV camera.
Once you have your CCTV camera installed, or better yet – before – give us a call to see how we can connect them to our system. With our Home or Business packages, you will in fact be preventing a crime, and not merely recording it.
Whenever the system is triggered, our trained operatives will challenge the intruder, and make sure they have a right to be on your premises. If they don’t, we will notify the police immediately. This way, you can rest assured that your home is kept safe even when you are not there, and you will never come back to find your premises burgled, with nothing but a recording left to watch.
Finally, here are some further security tips to consider:
- If you have children, we would recommend that you inform them on the proper steps to take if a burglary were to happen. Your kids should know how to contact the authorities at all times.
- Don’t leave your house in complete darkness when you’re away, as the cameras will need some lighting source to capture the very best footage, depending on the type of camera you have chosen.
- Suspend your newspaper delivery while you’re away and ask your neighbour to collect your mail. Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you’re on vacation.
- Keep any shrubbery near your walkway or entrance trimmed; removing any possible hiding places. Think about planting rosebushes under windows that may be especially vulnerable.
- While you’re away, it’s best to keep you vehicle in your driveway – so if you can have someone else drive you to airport, this is ideal. If you’re taking your car, ask that friendly neighbour to park in your driveway on occasion. Again, thieves shy away from the “lived in” look.
- View your home through the eyes of a burglar. It is well known that most burglars, even the most professional and proficient ones, will only try to enter a house that offers the least resistance. Their method of operation is almost universal in that they want to get in and out as quickly as possible without attracting attention.
The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances are that your home will not be chosen as a target. Studies have shown that if it takes a burglar more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they’ll move on.
Even if all these preventive measures fail – our team will be there to watch over your home when you are not there, and prevent any crime before it actually occurs.
Place your trust in our system, and see why prevention is always better than raising an alarm – even if you do have footage of the break-in, the stress and hassle to follow are immense. We can help you never even face it, with our reliable remote CCTV monitoring system.