Hidden Cameras & Home Safety: Using Hidden Cameras to Protect Your Home

Low-cost, easy-to-use video surveillance solutions safeguard your home and keep thieves and vandals at bay

Protect Your Most Important Investment

Owning your own home comes with inherent risks, including burglary and vandalism. There are a lot of ways to protect your property, and it can be a complicated proposition to figure out what's best for you. But three out of four homes in the U.S. will be broken into over the course of the next 20 years, so it's more important than ever to take action in order to protect the the people and things that matter to you.

An obvious solution, and one upon which many homeowners have relied for years, is a home security system. Alarm systems have proven effective in countless cases, but they can be expensive to set up and use, once you factor installation and monthly monitoring fees into the equation. To make matters worse, it's estimated that over half of those with home security systems are unsure how to operate them.

Home Video Surveillance Options

Video surveillance solutions have become more prevalent in recent years, not only because they've proven effective as a visual deterrent and a successful way to bust burglars, but also because the technology has become so affordable that nearly anyone can afford a basic system. When selecting a surveillance system, the most important distinctions you need to make are whether you want something visible or hidden, and whether you're looking to monitor the inside or outside of your home, or both.

Visible security cameras can be a great option for those with larger properties, where deterrence is as important as actually catching a thief or vandal in the act. Nothing stops a would-be criminal faster than the watchful eye of a security camera staring down at him. Some homeowners even opt for simple, extremely low-cost dummy cameras just for their deterrent capabilities.

If you choose a traditional video surveillance system, one or many (up to 16 or more) cameras can be connected through one centrally monitored digital video recorder, letting you keep an eye on all of the vulnerable areas of your home.

Hidden Cameras: Low-Cost Watchdogs

Hidden cameras, while ineffective as a visual deterrent, can be even more effective at catching criminals than traditional video surveillance systems. Actual home invasion burglaries are a significant threat, but more than that, any time you let someone in your home, there's a risk they could walk away with something of yours. Well-placed covert recording devices around your home are the perfect way to nab any thief in your midst.

It's impossible to be in the same room as a contractor, dog walker, cleaning staff member, etc., at all times. You need a certain level of faith to allow strangers to go about their business unsupervised within your own home. And, if you've ever been burned before by someone you've hired, that trust can never be regained. By selecting hidden cameras to monitor sensitive areas of your home, you gain the peace of mind you deserve, without making a service person or employee uncomfortable.

Theft-prevention aside, if you're hiring someone to care for an elderly relative or a nanny to watch your baby, hidden cameras can literally mean the difference between life and death. We often hear news stories involving a worried parent or caregiver using a hidden camera to catch abuse and bring a criminal to justice.

Best hidden cameras are also a great way to ensure that your teen is behaving himself when left home alone. If you're going out of town for a weekend and you're worried your home is going to be used as a party house, hidden cameras can provide the evidence you need to keep your teen honest.

What To Expect When You're Purchasing A Hidden Camera

When selecting a hidden camera , there are a number of considerations. The most important thing to remember is that the hidden camera you choose shouldn't look out of place in its environment. So if you're monitoring a safe in your study, you wouldn't pick a teddy bear camera ; instead, something like a mantel clock would be more appropriate. If you need a camera that can be moved from room to room, BrickHouse's Camscura Micro is a versatile and inexpensive solution that can be concealed with ease inside many household objects.

The sky's the limit when it comes to the number of customizable features you can select. When picking your camera, it's important to know what you're looking for, and find the camera with those abilities. Are you going to be monitoring a darker area? If so, look for a camera with a night vision feature. Are you monitoring your home when you're away on vacation? Try selecting a camera with motion-activated or overwrite-capable recording, and, consider a hidden camera that doesn't rely on battery power. Do you want to monitor your footage remotely? Choose a best hidden camera that works through your Wi-Fi network. Whatever features you need to keep your home secure, there's a solution for you.

Inside Out: Hidden Cameras to Protect Your Home's Exterior

Hidden cameras make indoor home monitoring easy, but what should you do if you have concerns about your home's exterior? Covert cameras come in a number of housings, including outdoor mainstays that wouldn't seem uncommon in any yard. By choosing an outdoor hidden camera, you can protect your home against vandals and burglars for extended periods of time, in any weather conditions.

These durable, easy-to-use hidden cameras house powerful batteries capable of running for an entire year on a single charge. Weatherproof casings ensure that, rain or shine, you'll capture the footage you need to bring a criminal to justice. Motion activation maximizes your battery life by only capturing the most essential footage. While BrickHouse's outdoor hidden cameras are ideal for busting human suspects, they can also be set up near a garden to identify any animals that may be feasting on your crops.

Affordable, customizable and compact hidden cameras are ushering in a new era for those concerned about home security but up until now, have been unsure about how to protect their property.