How Many Security Cameras Does Your Home Need?

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or moving from one home to another, it’s understandable that you want to feel comfortable in your new space. You may not consider at first what it may take for your home to feel safe and secure. You could have a larger backyard, more windows and doors, or a bunch of brand-new furniture that you want to keep protected. Now that you’ve unpacked your boxes and are settling in, you might want to think about incorporating a security system in your home, not only to hinder criminal activity, but also so you can keep your eyes on the place any time of day or night, whether you’re home or away.

While you may not want to splurge on a full security system that has all the bells and whistles just yet, a good starting point is setting up cameras both in and outside your home. How many cameras you need though depends on a variety of factors. The size of your house, the number of stories and rooms, the number of windows and doors, where your home is located, and more are all important things to take into consideration when it comes to designing your security system. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for how many cameras you’ll need. However, creating a camera placement diagram and figuring out the best locations in your home for cameras is a good place to start.

Here are some common spots we suggest monitoring with cameras for full coverage of your home:

Entry and Exit Points

You should place security cameras at all of your home’s entries and exits. While break-ins most commonly occur through the front door, other notable locations you want to keep in mind are back doors, side doors, windows, skylights, garages, and storage sheds. It might not be feasible for you to monitor every single door and window in your home with a camera, but you should begin by keeping the main doors in and out— the front door, back door, backyard gate, garage, and side entries—covered.

All Outdoor Areas Leading to Your Home

Thieves may use foliage and bushes in the front or backyard to hide themselves as they attempt to break in. Alleys and dumpsters can also conceal burglars if they decide to break into the garage.

Any outside area that leads to your home should be covered by a camera. Focus on yards, driveways, and any other paths leading to a door. Just make sure you follow the applicable laws to avoid violating your neighbors’ privacy.

Important Areas Inside Your Home

Placing security cameras throughout the inside of your home is just as necessary as having them on the exterior. You’ll want to have a camera near all sleeping areas and in any room that houses important items like money, collectibles, personal documents, or other valuables. Aside from garages and tool sheds, you may want to include a camera in both your attic and basement, depending on if they contain anything expensive or important.

You can also use indoor cameras to monitor children or pets while you’re away or to ensure no one is accessing places they shouldn’t be, like a liquor cabinet or office.

Cater to Your Needs

Just like every person, every home is unique. Take an accurate assessment of your home and its needs before you begin equipping it with security cameras, and adjust as you go. Never assume that what works for someone else will be the perfect fit for you.

While you may prefer to self-monitor your security system, a professional monitoring company has the expert response time and resources to deter crime. Brinks Home™ provides 24/7 professional monitoring backed by our 5-Diamond Alarm Response Center, with alerts sent straight to your smart device.