6 Little-Known Uses for Your Security Camera
Most homeowners install a security camera inside or outside their home to protect against burglary. With approximately 3.7 million burglaries occurring every year in the United States, it's a smart investment that can protect homeowners and their family from burglary. However, there are other, lesser-known uses for a security camera, some of which may surprise you.
#1) Catch Garden Pests
Whether it's a deer, rabbit, gopher or squirrels, pests can wreak havoc on your garden and lawn. When left unchecked, they'll devour your plants and grass, turning your landscape into a mess. But unless you know what type of pest is destroying your garden, you won't be able to keep it out. Thankfully, you can easily identify garden pests by setting up a security system outside your home.
#2) Save Money on Insurance
Statistics show that the average cost of homeowners' insurance in the United States is around $750 per year. Unless you purchase your home in cash, you are usually required to have insurance by your mortgage lender. Installing a security camera, however, may save you money on your homeowners' insurance premiums. Insurance companies view security cameras as a safeguard against burglary, vandalism and criminal mischief, so they offer premium discounts to homeowners with a security camera on their property.
#3) Baby Monitor
If you're the proud parent of a newborn, you can use your security camera as a baby monitor. In fact, video baby monitors are essentially nothing more than an internet protocol (IP) video camera with a built-in microphone and corresponding receiver unit. When your baby is lying down for a midday nap, you can set the security camera in his or her nursery, allowing you to keep a watchful eye over your baby from anywhere in the house. You can even purchase multiple home security monitors so that you and your spouse can both watch the baby.
#4) See Who's at the Front Door
Another idea is to set up your security system outside your front door so that you can see who's there without opening it. Going back to the basics of home security, opening the door for a complete stranger leaves you susceptible to home intrusion. Granted, some doors feature built-in windows through which you can see. Unless your front door has these windows, though, you'll need some other solution to see who's outside. A simple solution is a security camera with a corresponding display receiver. While lounging on your couch, you can view the display receiver to see footage of the camera and determine whether it's safe to open the door.
#5) Watch Children Playing Outside
According to HuffPost, children should spend at least three hours playing outside each day. As a parent, though, you be reluctant to allow your child to play outside alone, fearing that he or she could be injured without your supervision. With a security camera, you can watch over your children from inside the house while they are playing outside.
#6) Watch Your Pets
Finally, a security system will allow you to watch over your pets while you are away. Pets are mischievous creatures that like to explore and get into things they shouldn't when their owners are away. After coming home from work, you may discover your trashcan ransacked with debris strewn across the living room floor. If you have multiple pets, you need to find out which one is the perpetrator. That, of course, is a task best handled with a security camera. Once installed, you can view the camera's footage from a computer or smartphone to see which pet is destroying your home.
Burglary protection is only one benefit offered by security cameras. As explained here, they also allow you to catch garden pests, monitor your baby, see who's at the front door, supervise your children and watch over your pets.
