When it comes to installing CCTV cameras around your home or business premises, you might be wondering whether or not they can record audio. Wouldn't it be useful to hear what the perpetrators were saying while they were targeting your property? They could give away key details like their names, their intentions, or their plans after they flee the scene. 

You'll be pleased to hear that, yes, modern CCTV cameras can record audio. This means that your CCTV system can be the eyes and the ears that watch over your property. Some CCTV cameras come with built-in audio input, while others can be connected to a remote microphone for clearer sound. It really depends on your premises and your security needs.

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Designer Websites Ltd recently asked us to install a new security system at their office in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan.

After an initial survey, the IDS team designed and installed a state-of-the-art CCTV camera system to monitor activity inside and outside the Designer Websites office.

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Here in the UK, the weather can change at any given time, so it's important that your home security system is designed to withstand the pressure of harsh and wet weather conditions. CCTV cameras that are positioned around the exterior of your home are generally exposed to the elements. We are often asked whether rain affects CCTV cameras and the footage they record. If this is a question you'd like to find the answer to, just keep reading...

Will CCTV cameras be damaged by the rain?

When it comes to electricals and water, the two don't mix very well. In fact, it's best to keep electricals as far away from water as possible! 

Prolonged exposure to rainwater could cause your CCTV system to malfunction or stop working altogether. If water encroaches into the CCTV camera itself, it can cause damage that's very hard to repair. Once water has seeped into your CCTV camera, it's not very easy to get it back out, so prevention of water ingress is key.

When water gets inside the lens of your CCTV camera, it distorts the image and makes it very difficult to see what your camera is capturing. This can be a real problem if a criminal decides to target your property on a rainy day.

What can you do to prevent water damage?

There are a few different things you can do to make sure that rain doesn't affect your CCTV cameras. If you're planning on installing a CCTV system in the near future, we recommend talking to your security company about weather-proofing your system beforehand. Here are a few steps you can take to keep your CCTV system working in all weathers.

1. Install your CCTV cameras in sheltered areas

Ensuring that each of your CCTV cameras has some protection from the elements is a great way to prevent water damage. Something as simple as moving the cameras into a slight inlet can prevent complications later down the line. Again, we recommend you talk to your security company about the positioning of your cameras because it's vital you find a balance between rain cover and coverage of vulnerable access points. 

2. Install multiple CCTV cameras

If you live in an area that's known to get a lot of rain, it might be worth installing multiple cameras around your property. This gives you an added level of protection if one of your cameras is damaged or distorted by the rain.

3. Check your CCTV cameras regularly

While taking precautions should help to prevent your CCTV cameras from being water damaged, you can never be 100% sure. The best way to maintain a functioning CCTV system is to check it regularly. If you notice any signs of water ingress, you should contact your security system provider and seek advice.

CCTV Systems from IDS Security

While water can cause problems for your CCTV system, that shouldn't deter you from installing one! CCTV systems that you buy online and install yourself are generally more prone to water damage because they're made of cheaper materials and arent' always installed correctly. If you want to reduce the chances of your CCTV system being damaged by water, then we recommend you get in touch with our team here at IDS. We have decades of experience installing CCTV systems and we use top of the line cameras that are good at coping with harsh weather conditions. 

It's very unlikely that the rain will cause enough damage to leave your home or business premises vulnerable, but if the worst should happen, the IDS Security team will be on hand to help you. All of our security systems are tailor-made to suit the requirements of your property. This means you get ample coverage of all the vulnerable areas and we can also take into account shelter for your cameras if water ingress is a potential problem. 

We hope that you'll choose IDS security for your CCTV system and other security system needs. We provide a personal service that ensures you receive the highest level of protection and reassurance. If you have any questions, you can get in touch with our team by filling in the enquiry form on our contact page.

Our CCTV Systems >           Contact IDS Security >

A recent news story tells how a thief was caught stealing parcels thanks to a homeowner's CCTV system. The parcels in question were delivered to Christopher Powell in Caernarfon but, despite receiving proof of delivery, they were nowhere to be found.

Thanks to his CCTV system, Mr Powell was able to identify that one of his neighbours had stolen the parcels. The neighbour, a Mr Oulten, had taken the parcels and placed them into the recycling bin, returning a few hours later with a child and a carrier bag to take the goods. Mr Oulten was taken to court over the matter and was ordered to pay a £120 fine for his crime.

Should you get a home CCTV system?

As this story shows, installing a CCTV system around the perimeter of your home can be beneficial in the event of a theft or break-in. Sadly, our homes are most vulnerable when we're out at work, visiting family, or asleep at night. In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to worry about people stealing goods from our doorstep, but unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world and even our own neighbours can steal from us.

Installing a CCTV system is a great deterrent for crimes because it lets criminals know that they're being watched. Placing CCTV cameras in prominent places around your home can make burglars think twice when they're choosing which home to target. In addition, the CCTV footage can be used as evidence in court to prove the identity of the perpetrators. 

Read More: Can CCTV Footage Be Used as Evidence?

Home CCTV Systems from IDS

There are a lot of home CCTV systems that can be bought online and in stores, most of which are fitted by you and seem to be a good, cost-effective option... but are they really that good? Time and time again, we've seen people coming to us because they've purchased a DIY CCTV system and encountered some problems. These problems vary but tend to include, people who are unsure how or where to install the system or people who are unable to get help when something goes wrong with their CCTV system.

There are lots of benefits if you choose to have a CCTV system installed by our team here at IDS. For example:

• We'll assess your property and show you the perfect places to install your cameras
• We'll design a bespoke system that will cover all vulnerable areas of your home
• Our technicians will install the system for you, making the whole process stress-free
• Our experts will be on hand to help with any queries, questions or problems that arise

So, if you'd like to speak to us about installing a CCTV system in your home, we'd love to hear from you. You can request a quote by filling in our enquiry form below, or you can give us a call on 029 20 753 251.

Submit an Enquiry Now!

Commercial properties like offices and shops are popular targets for burglars because they often contain a lot of expensive items. From computers to clothing and jewellery, burglars can make a quick grab for a few items in commercial spaces and walk away with thousands of pounds worth of loot. Because commercial properties are so vulnerable, it's paramount that you install a security system and CCTV cameras. These devices can help catch perpetrators in the act (if the worst should happen) but more often than not, they prevent burglary attempts altogether. 

How can you benefit from a commercial CCTV system?

If you're not 100% sold on the idea of installing CCTV at your commercial property, perhaps we can change your mind by explaining the different benefits of commercial CCTV systems. Commercial CCTV systems:

• Deter criminals
• Protect customers and employees
• Protect members of the public outside your premises

Many criminals will see that a commercial property has a CCTV system in place and will target somewhere more vulnerable instead. After all, why would they risk getting caught if there's an easier option elsewhere? If a break-in does occur, CCTV cameras will capture the incident and the faces of the criminals. This can be especially helpful evidence to have on hand when you're trying to pursue your case with the police. 

Read More: Can CCTV Footage Be Used as Evidence?

How can IDS Security help me?

Here at IDS Security, we've been installing commercial security systems for years. We understand that every commercial property is different, so rather than supplying a one size fits all solution, we tailor each CCTV system to suit you. You can combine a commercial CCTV system with a range of other systems to provide complete security for your business. Here are a few other systems we supply:

• Fire Alarms
• Intruder Alarms
• Access Control Systems
• Security Barriers

To start your commercial security journey, get in touch with IDS Security now! You can call us on 029 20 753 251, email us at admin@ids-securityltd.co.uk or submit an enquiry form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Commercial Security Systems >            CCTV Systems >

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