Violent crime and burglaries are a source of concern to everyone and how to protect yourself, your family or staff, and your premises is something we all have to deal with at some point. If someone has the intention of breaking into your property then there has to be a deterrent to stop them, you don't need bars on the windows and guards at the doors however, basic CCTV security equipment can do the trick just as effectively.
If you are worried about your property and intruders then investing in a security system is a very good idea, not only does it act as a second pair of eyes for when you are away, it can also be used as evidence if necessary, and its mere presence can stop trespassers in their tracks.
Fitting CCTV is very simple and it's perfect for locations where observation is deemed a necessity. This could be for any number of reasons, from ensuring your staff are doing their job efficiently even when you are not in the office and keeping an eye on shoppers, to watching over your empty property, or providing some level of security for a car park. Closed-circuit television can have more than one monitor which is very handy when you have a large area to watch - although you can't be everywhere at one time, your cameras can.
Installing security cameras has been proven to lead to a reduction in crime, although they might be small they are noticeable and this in itself can be enough to stop shoplifters or office thieves. Installing cameras in an empty car park, or on shop premises where you have daily dealings with gangs of teenagers acting suspiciously, are prime examples where cameras can provide safety and security.
Although there are many components to CCTV security equipment, including the cameras, monitors and recorders, as well as any cabling to connect it all together, you don't particularly have to pay a lot to get products of good quality. Prices vary depending on how many cameras are required, plus the cost of your recording device, installation fees, etc.
When looking for cameras check the resolution and picture quality, very cheap cameras won't be very effective as the images will be hard to distinguish. Black and white systems are still common as they provide a cheaper option if you are on a budget. They are fine for locations where the light is poor, to get better quality images use it with infrared lighting. Advances in CCTV technology means the price of colour systems are gradually coming down, this could be a better choice if the area to be monitored is well lit as they give clearer images and people or objects can be identified easier as colour images are clearer.
You can buy CCTV kits for commercial and domestic applications where everything needed to set up a security system is included in the price. You'll get the cameras, DVR with a hard drive, power cables and leads, software and user manuals. The DVR often provides a 250 Gb built-in hard drive which means you can record for anything up to 250 days at its lowest frame rate, or a week at a decent frame rate. Cameras are generally made for both indoor and outdoor use and can easily be fixed to a wall or ceiling. Check the size of the lens, the wider means it will cover a wider area for viewing.
Always remember that fitting CCTV in your home will be much more effective if other precautions are also taken. Ensure exterior doors are well-built and fit strong locks on them as specified by your house insurance. Lights outside the house activated by motion are always a good idea, and always set your burglar alarm, even if you are only out of the house for a few hours.
There are plenty of specialized security equipment dealers who can also help with security equipment and installation if you need it. Take a quick look online where you'll find information on security products, access control equipment and accessories.
