Nanny cams can give parents complete peace on mind.
Video surveillance has been around since the 1960s, but in those days, it was too expensive for home use. But recent advances in digital technology have made home video surveillance systems more practical and affordable.
New mothers who wanted to return to their jobs but were concerned about leaving their babies in the care of strangers were looking for a solution that would enable them to work outside the home but still have peace of mind.
Is it a teddy bear or a nanny cam?
Video surveillance cameras that would stream video from the home to any PC with an Internet connection were the solution. Known as nanny cams, they let working mothers put in their time at the office and check up on the baby simultaneously.
Having a nanny cam can reassure nervous parents that their child is being well cared for. And if the child isn’t receiving good care, a nanny cam can allow parents to make other arrangements before there’s a real problem.
Nanny cams aren’t just for child care. Homeowners can also use them to make sure that housekeepers, repairmen, and other people with access to the home aren’t doing anything inappropriate. And since there’s a visual record, if there is any wrongdoing, homeowners have proof of it.
Most responsible child care providers don’t object to being recorded, if they know about it in advance. So parents with surveillance cameras have a decision to make. They can tell their nannies about it up front. Or use concealed devices and spy on them in secret.
Nanny cams are sometimes disguised as smoke detectors.
Nanny cams that are disguised as clock radios, alarm clocks, or smoke detectors are all available and relatively inexpensive. The best blend in with their surroundings and look completely natural.
Some are wireless and have a built in DVR. The devices are equipped with a network video camera that transmits a feed to via that can be seen anywhere there’s Internet access.
They should be placed where they’ll have an unobstructed view about six feet away from what you want to watch.
Many daycare facilities and nursing homes are using the cameras so that family members can check in on their loved ones when they can’t be there in person.
Good-quality devices are available for as little as $150.
Read more about video surveillance systems here. And about baby safety monitors here.
Is it a teddy bear or a nanny cam? Image Flickr: @sahxic < twitter
Nanny cams are sometimes disguised as smoke detectors Image Flickr: ➨ Redvers
New video surveillance systems that do more and cost less.
Video surveillance cameras used to be used in banks, secure areas, and occasionally in the compounds of the rich and famous. These old cameras were usually part of a closed circuit television (CCTV) system that was expensive and difficult to install and costly to maintain. The cost of CCTV systems made them prohibitive for most home owners.
Advances in information and digital technology have made CCTV systems a thing of the past, and today’s video surveillance systems are much more affordable, reliable, and easy to use.
The mere presence of video cameras can do a lot to deter intrusions. Most would-be thieves will decide that a place with security cameras is not worth the trouble. So if you want an extra measure of protection for your home and property, a video surveillance system can be a worthwhile investment.
IP video surveillance camera
Most security systems today use Internet Protocol (IP) cameras which are pretty simple to install and maintain. They deliver digital information via an IP network, unlike CCTV cameras which required a complicated system of coaxial cables. And that information can be monitored live.
You can buy IP surveillance cameras individually or bundled with surveillance software. You’ll need the software to record, retrieve, view, and broadcast your feed.
You can place the cameras wherever there’s a connection to an IP network. The most logical places are near entrances to your home, on any outbuildings you have, and on the perimeter if your property is large. If you have valuables displayed inside your home, you should probably put one there too.
Each camera has its own IP address and unlike webcams, they don’t need to be connected to a PC. The quality of the digital images is vastly superior to analog. And sophisticated IP cameras will also pan, tilt, and zoom.
One of the biggest advantages of IP video surveillance systems is that with a network video recorder you can monitor the feed in real time from any computer with Internet access. In most cases, you can even access it with a smart phone. Being able to check up on your house when you’re away can provide a lot of peace of mind.
CCTV systems store their recorded images on VHS tapes, which were then dated and stored. Because the images captured by IP surveillance cameras are digital, the information is archived on servers where it can be accessed instantly via search.
IP systems are more expensive than CCTV systems, but the price is dropping rapidly. Most of the major home security system providers now offer it, so ask for a quote. You may be pleasantly surprised by how affordable video surveillance turns out to be.
Read about other kinds of home security systems here.
IP video surveillance camera Image Flickr: Matti Mattila
Baby safety monitors are an essential part of home security.
Baby safety monitors can provide new and old parents with added peace of mind. Being able to hear your baby sleeping soundly in the nursery eliminates worry and also ensures that if the baby does have a problem that you’ll be able to react instantly.
A baby safety monitor also gives parents greater freedom and convenience. If you need to do tackle something in the garage or backyard, you can go ahead, knowing that you can still keep tabs on your little one.
Several kinds of baby monitors are available. The simplest use a one-way radio to broadcast the sounds in the nursery to a receiver. A transmitter is plugged into an outlet in the baby’s room, usually within about ten feet of the crib. The receiver is portable, so you just take it with you to hear what’s happening in the nursery. Look for one with a belt clip or lanyard.
Most transmitters have a range of about 150 feet. If you have a big house with several stories or a large yard, you may need a more robust transmitter.
Many baby monitors, especially inexpensive ones, broadcast over the same frequency, so if your neighbors live close by, it’s possible that you may pick up sounds from their monitor and vice versa. The frequency is also common with cordless telephones, so you may experience some interference there too.
More sophisticated models have technology that eliminates or scrambles outside interference. Depending on your situation, they may be worth the added expense. If the receiver of your baby monitor uses batteries, it’s also a good idea to invest in a system that alerts you if the batteries quit working. Or to choose a system with a rechargeable receiver.
Receivers that light up when noise is detected are also handy. That way, if you’re vacuuming or doing a load of dishes, you’ll know that something’s going on. And getting a second receiver lets you leave one in the living room and take another to the kitchen.
If you want to be able to see as well as hear your baby, there are baby monitors that send images wirelessly to the receiver. And you can also buy a system that includes motion detectors that are placed underneath the baby. An alarm sounds if the baby stops moving for more than 20 seconds.
Those who want to be able to monitor their baby no matter where they are can buy an Internet-based system that uses wireless technology to broadcast live audio and video that you can see wherever you have Internet access.
Depending on the features you want, baby safety monitors can cost anywhere from $30 to $300. But the peace of mind and freedom they can provide truly are priceless. If you have a burglar alarm system to protect your home and family, you should have a baby safety monitor too.