Where should you not place a security camera? A security camera is extremely useful in monitoring your home. Its presence may discourage burglars to enter your house. And even if they make their way inside, the camera tape will later help you identify the offenders.
But, is it legal and morally right to monitor absolutely each inch of a house or area? Are there taboo places where the installation of a security camera is forbidden? Yes, no matter how big your desire to surveil certain areas is, you will still have to refrain.
Most of the time, privacy considerations will be the main stop. In some cases, it will be a morally punishable gesture, other times you may face criminal liability. Keep reading to know where should you not place a security camera!
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Surveilling the neighbor’s property is an offense that falls under privacy violation. This may keep you punishable in front of the law. Homeowners have to use a camera to monitor and protect their houses. Using a CCTV system to monitor the lifestyle of neighbors isn’t quite morally right.
Moreover, this gesture may cost you much if neighbors find out about you surveilling them. You may record someone’s property only with the consent of the property owners. If you don’t have consent, refrain from directing your cam towards other neighborhood houses.
Sometimes, strong wind or a fallen tree branch may change the position of the camera. That’s why you have to regularly make sure the recording device is facing only your property.
Putting a security camera in a place where you keep valuable things is a common event. But what if it’s the bedroom? Is the bedroom a morally right place to install a surveillance device?
In spite of storing many assets in this room – which makes it a target for burglars – surveilling it is wrong. It may affect your privacy and intimate life, so you are better off to keep it for other areas. If you are so afraid of burglars stealing your expensive stuff, there is an alternative way.
You can install a CCTV camera outside the bedroom at its entrance. In this way, you will be able to see who enters and leaves your bedroom. Keep in mind that the higher the camera resolution, the easier it is to spot the identity of the burglar.
So, you are good to install a high-quality CCTV.
Similarly to the bedroom, installing a cam in the bathroom is a matter of privacy violation. No matter how much you are concerned about a possible break-in, it doesn’t justify your intent to surveil the bathroom. Again, you can install the camera outside the bathroom next to its door.
This will help you monitor who enters and leaves. Never attempt to place cameras in the house without notifying other family members about it. Walking naked or half-naked when nobody’s home is a common practice.
Those that do it will never be happy to know a camera has been surveilling them all this time. Of course, there are some exceptions. If you suspect the babysitter of theft or mistreating the children, you can install the cam without notifying her.
Another place with high privacy expectations where video surveillance is not welcome. Whether it’s a home pool or a gym, changing rooms have to be free of cameras. While there is a chance of people stealing pool and gym equipment one from another, surveillance is forbidden.
While some places are forbidden for surveillance, others allow monitoring given low privacy expectations. The most common place to put a cam is at the entryway. While you may think burglars use secondary doors to enter the house, it’s not quite so.
Most of them prefer to use the same door homeowners use to get into the property. That’s why installing a camera at the ground floor entrance helps you keep the best track of offenders. Other areas you are good to monitor are the stairs and hallways.
In other words, all places where burglars have to pass to reach certain rooms. Unless intruders get inside the house through the window, the hallway camera is highly useful.
A yard is also a place where much action happens. For example, thieves may use the trees, bushes, flower beds, and other landscaping elements to hide.
So, there is much to win from putting cameras facing the front yard and backyard. If you mount the cam on your house facing the yard, it will have to record the burglars from a distance. That’s why it’s best for you to choose a high-resolution camera to ensure you can clearly see offenders’ actions.
Since it’s a public area, the kitchen welcomes surveillance systems. And it’s a place that thefts have many things to steal from. Most of the time, they will focus on kitchen gadgets and expensive tableware. So, a security camera here will benefit you a lot.
It may also be good to equip your garage with a cam. Car accessories and various household tools and machinery may seem extremely attractive to thefts. In fact, any place where you store valuables – except for bedroom and bathroom – can have a security camera.
Even the basement is eligible if you store their vintage furniture or clothes. They may not be so highly prized, but having a foreign person stealing them is not pleasant at all.
On the whole, you have a wide choice of places to install security cameras. Still, not all areas are suitable for surveillance. These include rooms where one would expect their privacy to be respected.
Installing a cam in the bedroom, bathroom, and changing room is not ethical, as it affects a person’s intimate life. Also, making your cam face the property of neighbors is also a moral crime.
Sometimes it may go even farther with neighbors accusing you of violating their privacy and suing you. You may have to pay a hefty fine for surveilling them without their consent. Other than these forbidden places, you can install cameras all over your house.