Feeling secure is seeing with your own eyes. And when that’s not possible, using other eyes can be the next best thing. Cameras, discreetly placed and sized, can help us have more eyes in more places.
The advantages are staggering. When you add surveillance to your home security system, you become empowered to see so much more. Sure, there’s the obvious theft deterrent and ability to identify a perpetrator in case of a break-in. But then there’s the ability to be steps ahead of a crime. You can actually know who’s at the door or even who is approaching your property.
But there are even more sophisticated uses of surveillance technology. Sometimes the perpetrators in our lives aren’t human. Are your trying to catch that possum who ravages your garbage? Or is a neighborhood cat getting into your shed? Now you can know who, when and how.
Or the other side of the coin is possible too. Many of us have animals we love. Are they okay when we’re out? Or are they hopping the fence and taking strolls around the area? How do they do that? And of course you can finally figure out what trouble your puppy gets into when your back is turned or you’re out of the house.
And then there are the most precious thIngs of all – our children. Cameras don’t just keep your homes safe, but can assist in baby monitoring, keeping an eye around the house, watching kids playing in the yard and even knowing who’s coming and going. You can know if they made it home from school or back from a date – even if you’re not home. Many security systems, such as ADT’s (http://www.adt.com/for_your_home/products_services/video_surveillance) include remote access from Internet enabled computers and even PDAs.
Of course, all of these advantages come at costs. When you have cameras everywhere, privacy diminishes and it’s possible to feel overly monitored. The blessings of a technology can often be its curse.
So, when planning to add surveillance capacities to a home security system, it’s important to consider how it will affect you and your family and the feeling everyone has in their home. Every family has it’s needs and comfort zones. Be sure you figure out yours.
Properly done, you and your family will be able to enjoy new levels of security and safety. After all, who hasn’t wished they had another pair of eyes?
