Types of Security Cameras and their Benefits

Security cameras and video surveillance systems are incredibly important components of a home security system or business security system. Not only can security cameras be used to identify criminal activity that is taking place on your property, but they can also capture evidence that can later be crucial in identifying criminals.

But what surveillance cameras should you use to protect your home and business? There are a number of different types of security cameras and they all have different strengths, weaknesses and benefits.

Box cameras and bullet security cameras are perhaps the most popular types of surveillance cameras. These cameras are long and thin and they often look like bullets, hence their name. Security cameras of this type are very versatile. They can be mounted in a wide variety of locations, they often have a number of interchangeable lenses and they can be placed inside weather-proof housing so they can be safely installed outdoors. However, box cameras can only focus in one direction at a time and they are easily noticeable. These can be considered disadvantages in some situations. However, their visibility makes them a crime deterrent as well.

Dome security cameras are also very popular. These cameras are typically mounted on the ceiling or on walls. They can be placed indoors or outdoors. Dome surveillance cameras are protected from the elements and from vandalism by a plastic dome. These domes are often tinted, which makes it hard to determine which direction they are facing. The glass or plastic domes also make them more difficult to tamper with.

Both bullet security cameras and dome security cameras are available in black and white and colour models. There are also infrared security cameras which come in handy during low-light situations. These are available in a number of different form factors as well.

When you are installing security cameras in your home or business you also need to consider how you will be recording or viewing this footage. Most people choose to record security camera footage to a DVR (digital video recorder) but you can also decide to have your footage available to view on a secure Internet connection. This makes it possible to watch your surveillance cameras remotely from anywhere with Internet access. 

You can also choose to have your security cameras monitored by an alarm monitoring service. In the event of an alarm, a live monitoring station can access your security cameras, immediately analyze the situation and send authorities to your property if necessary.

Whichever method you choose, deciding to add surveillance cameras to you home security system or business security system is certainly a good idea.

Using Motion-Activated Lights To Protect Your Property

One of the most effective and most affordable ways to keep your home or business safe is by using motion-activated lighting. There are numerous benefits to installing motion-activated lights on your property.

Lighting makes it more difficult for criminals to hide

Burglars prefer to work under the cover of darkness. Dark areas give them more time to work on illegally entering a property. Criminals also like to hide in darkness if they are planning on attacking or robbing someone. Installing motion-activated lights eliminates this factor and forces criminals to work in well-lit areas where they could be caught.

It deters criminals from even trying

Criminals do not want to be caught in the act. Having a well-lit home or business often causes criminals to think twice about attempting to break into your property. In many cases a burglar will think it's not worth the risk to rob a building where they could be spotted.

Lightning increases the effectiveness of video surveillance cameras

There are a wide variety of security cameras that can capture clear images in low light. However, if you have adequate lightning on your property, you can record even better images. You won't need to use an infrared camera or other low light camera to protect your property and you can choose to capture images in full colour, if you have a colour security camera.

It makes it harder to determine if you are at home

Many criminals would rather break into an empty home than a full one. If your home has motion-activated lightning outside and lights that operate on a timer inside, it makes it much more difficult to determine if you are home.

Positioning Outdoor Lightning Effectively 

Where you position your motion-activated lights is incredibly important as well. You'll first want to evaluate your property both during the day and at night. This will allow you to see which areas are the darkest and scout for locations where criminals could hide.

You'll want to ensure that you cover all entry points. Both windows and doors should be illuminated as these are likely the areas that criminals will target. It's also important that you do not focus solely on your home. There should be adequate lighting on your driveway, your garage and any other areas where criminals may attempt to hide. Obviously a larger property will require more motion-activated lights than a smaller one.

How Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Works To Protect Your Property

Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) uses technology to prevent shoplifting from retail stores, libraries and other locations. Overall, the system works by affixing tags to all merchandise. The store exits are then equipped with a detection system that can determine if the tags leave the store while they are still activated. When a customer purchases a product, the tag is either removed or deactivated, depending on the type of tag. Those products can then leave the store without problem, while products that still have active tags on them will result in an alarm or other alert that lets the store staff know that there is an issue.

EAS is vital technology that makes stopping shoplifting and theft much easier than it ever has been before.

There are several different types of electronic article surveillance systems. Books, smaller items, boxed items and other similar items often use stickers or other small tags. They usually operate on a magnetic system, an acousto-magnetic system or a radio-frequency (RF) system. These tags usually come in the form of strips or stickers that can be applied to an item either in the store or at the manufacturer's location. These tags are deactivated when an item is purchased and they often remain on the item as it leaves the store.

If you've ever found a small white sticker, a thin metal strip or a square RF sticker on an item that you have purchased, you have dealt with these EAS tags before.

There are also larger EAS tags that operate on a radio-frequency (RF) anti-shoplifting system. These typically come in the form of a bulky plastic tag that is often attached to clothing or similar articles. Apparel stores, clothing stores, sporting goods stores, luggage stores and other similar merchants often use these EAS tags on their merchandise. Microwave EAS systems can also be used on clothing in a similar manner.

These tags are reusable and are removed by cashiers or other store staff when an item is purchased. They can then be attached to a different piece of merchandise in the store. If you have ever seen a plastic tag hanging from a piece of clothing that was then removed using a special detacher, you have seen one of these EAS tags.

Almost everyone who has ever been to a store, library or other retail location has seen some form of EAS tag in action. Electronic article surveillance systems are very common and they are used in almost every type of store imaginable. 

If you look around a shopping mall or other retail strip, you'll notice that the majority of stores have pillars, gates or other electronic article surveillance at the front doors of their property. This will show you how common the systems actually are. The reason that they are so common is because they are effective. Not only are the pillars at the front doora visible theft deterrent, but the actual tags themselves are deterrents as well. Shoplifters will not want to risk being caught and using an electronic article surveillance system in your store will let them know that you are serious about inventory control. They will think twice before attempting anything and often move on rather than risk being detected.

The systems themselves are incredibly effective as well. They immediately sound an audible alarm or siren when someone attempts to exit the store with unpurchased merchandise. By having a strong theft detection and theft deterrent system in place, you are protecting your property from shoplifters, thieves and other criminals.

It simply makes sense to have a strong system of electronic article surveillance in your store. If you are not employing EAS technology, you are falling behind. Criminals will recognize this weakness and work to exploit it by stealing merchandise. The cost of installing an EAS system is more than covered by the money you will save by preventing crime and theft in your store.

How Security Bars & Gates are Vital for your Home or Business

Alarm systems, video surveillance cameras and other security services typically receive the most attention when people are looking to upgrade the safety of their home or business. This is for a good reason. Security systems, burglar alarms, security cameras and other types of security technology are incredibly important parts of a home or business security system.

However, one aspect of security that is often overlooked is security bars and gates. These are very important means of securing your home or office. Purchasing and installing bars and gates should be given the same amount of importance as all other parts of your security system as they are vital to a strong security setup.

When criminals and burglars want to enter a home or office, they typically do not care about doing so in a respectful manner. A would-be thief will not hesitate to smash your windows and enter your property. Having strong locks on all doors and windows is very important, but if criminals can simply force their way in by breaking glass, a strong lock becomes much less useful.

This is why you should be sure to protect all glass surfaces with security bars and security gates. 

These security devices are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs, so you will almost definitely be able to find one that suits your needs. Bars and gates can typically be installed on the inside or the outside of a window or door and doing so makes it much more difficult for a burglar to enter your home.

In many cases, burglars will simply move on from a home or office that has security bars or security gates installed. It is much easier to break into a location that has less protection and offers less hassle for the burglar. You will be protecting yourself from being attacked just by installing security bars and gates on your windows and doors.

Many people worry about how bars or gates look. They are concerned about having their property “look like a fortress” or feel that having bars on their windows will discourage visitors or customers. That is no longer true. Thankfully, today there are a variety of designs that are made to compliment the look of your existing windows and doors. These designs blend into architecture of your home or office and give your property a beautiful, inviting look while still providing maximum protection.

But where should you install your security bars? Anywhere that has glass that could be broken by attempted burglars.

Many people only install bars and security gates on the ground floor of their homes. Some only install them on those windows and doors that are facing the street. Both of those methods are incorrect and could lead to a break-in. While many criminals enter a home through the front door or ground floor windows, they will attempt other entry points if they feel those points are weaker. Criminals are known to smash second floor windows, sliding patio doors, basement doors and other alternative entrances during robberies. All of these locations should be secured with window bars or security gates. Your security system is only as strong as its weakest link.

However, if you are planning on placing gates on a basement window or a bedroom window, be sure that they can be safely and quickly removed from the inside. In the event of a fire or other disaster, anyone sleeping inside the house must be able to get out through the window. You don't want to trap yourself or your loved ones inside a burning building. There are specialized gates available that can be taken out from the inside easily while still offering strong resistance to anyone attempting to break in from outside.

In addition to home alarm systems, business security systems and video surveillance cameras, door and window bars and gates are vital components of your security system. When combined with a powerful alarm system and security cameras, you have the ultimate protection system that will keep your property safe from intruders and burglars.