Smile! You're on my Camera

When he first suggested that we install security cameras around the house I thought my husband was a bit paranoid. We live in a safe neighborhood. We know our neighbors. Why would we need video surveillance cameras?

Now that we have them, I can't imagine my life without them. Just recently we were out of town for my youngest daughter's soccer match. I received a frantic phone call from my other daughter, who had stayed at home. I could hear the dogs barking and the anxiousness in her voice as she explained to me that someone kept ringing the doorbell, and there was a strange car parked in front of the house.

While I stayed on the phone with her, my husband took out his phone and pulled up the app that came with our camera system. He was quickly able to see who was at the door as well as the car parked out front. He could also see that there was no one else at any of the other doors. The man at the door had a package under his arm (probably another home electronics item my husband had ordered online). We continued to watch the cameras and observed him leave the package at the doorstep and then walk to his car. Once we saw the car drive away we let my daughter know it was safe to open the door to retrieve the package. We kept the app open and watched her get the package and go back inside.

What a relief it was to reassure her that she was safe and there was no need to worry. Having the cameras, and the ability to view them remotely, gave all of us peace of mind. Without the cameras, I would have been helpless to help her, and would have been a wreck until we got home. Instead, we were able to enjoy the rest of the game, and she was able to relax at home.

My parents own a second home, out of state. We encouraged them to have a camera system installed at their primary residence, and the vacation home, so that they can monitor the activities at either place, no matter where they are.

If you've ever considered a camera system for your home or business (or even if you haven't), I highly recommend it. Having the app makes it easy to view the cameras no matter where you are. The cameras are recording day and night, and you can watch them live, or go back to a specific time period. I was skeptical at first about the need for cameras, but I can honestly say there have been many occasions when I was glad we have them.