Security cameras are by far and away the most common type of security device meant to improve home safety. These devices have long been used to add a layer of protection to properties and establishments against burglary, theft, and other criminal activities. But while security cameras do a good job of keeping your home safe, they do have one glaring weakness — vandalism.
When a security camera is within a burglar’s reach, their first instinct is to deface them with spray-paint or ink. Not only does this render the camera useless, but it also leaves a huge gap in your home security. Thankfully, there are vandal-proof security cameras available on the market that do a great job of resisting smudges, tampering, and spray paint.
If you live in an area where vandalism is of great concern, then it may be a good idea to invest in a vandal-proof security camera. Here’s what you need to know about these robust devices.
The makings of a vandal-proof security camera
Vandal-proof security cameras are constructed differently from traditional security cameras. They’re usually made of robust materials and are capable of withstanding even the harshest of weather conditions. Here are some of the features found in a vandal-proof security camera.
- Impact-resistant domes – Most vandal-proof cameras have a dome-like shape that features an impact-resistant lens cover. The round shape makes it difficult to move the camera out of position and allows for a 360° view of the camera’s surroundings while the lens cover ensures that the camera itself can handle strong forces from blunt items like a hammer or a bat.
- Metal housing – A traditional security camera uses plastic housing which can break easily when subjected to strong forces. A vandal-proof security camera uses a metal housing to prevent tampering and resist the various weather conditions the device will be exposed to.
- Sturdy mount – The mounting base of a vandal-proof security camera is held down by expansion screws to ensure the camera is fixated in place. This ensures that the camera remains in position regardless of how much force the device receives.
- IR illumination – It’s crucial for a security camera to have a good low-light performance to record footage even at dimly-lit conditions. This is why most vandal-proof cameras employ infrared (IR) illumination to capture images even in complete darkness.
How to vandal-proof your security camera
Even if you own a standard type of security camera, there are a couple of things you can do to make it vandal-proof. Most security experts recommend using a vandal-proof camera on areas where the device can be easily reached or tampered with. But if you truly wish to maximise your home security, you should vandal-proof all of your security cameras. Here’s how:
- Conceal the wires – If you’re using wired security cameras, the first thing you should do is to conceal them. It only takes a quick snip of the wires for the burglar to disable your cameras so make sure they’re hidden from plain sight.
- Be mindful of the camera’s positioning – Camera placement plays a huge role in keeping your security cameras vandal-proof. Make sure the devices are at least 1.8 metres high so that criminals can’t reach them even with a weapon on their hands.
- Hide the security cameras – Because vandal-proof cameras are small and compact, you can easily hide them in places where people can’t see them. Vandals can’t attack a camera they don’t know about so look for inconspicuous areas where you can place your security cameras.
- Go fully wireless – Wireless security cameras are becoming increasingly popular nowadays and for good reason. Since they work using WiFi, there’s no need for any external wires which eliminates the risk of disabling them.
In our experience, it’s always better to use different types of cameras to ensure maximum security throughout your property. Vandal-proof cameras come with plenty of advantages, but one of their downsides is that they come with small lenses. This affects the range of the device, making it unsuitable for recording large areas like a park or a backyard.
Bullet cameras (those that have elongated housings) offer greater range and feature larger lenses for better video clarity. Again, it’s worth vandal-proofing these types of security cameras to ensure all-around protection from criminals.
Choosing the right security camera provider
So you’re interested in having vandal-proof security cameras installed on your property but you’re not exactly sure who to contact for the job. This is where Casa Security comes in. As one of the leading security system providers in Perth, Casa Security carries high-quality products paired with professional customer service. Security systems are quite complex and you certainly want to entrust the installation process to a team of qualified professionals to ensure a satisfactory result.
Vandal-proof cameras are essential to any modern home or establishment and proper installation of these devices require the knowledge of an industry expert. We take the time to understand the unique needs of our clients to provide a comprehensive security solution. For more information about our services, contact us today and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
