Like most business owners, you probably know how important it is to have a CCTV system protecting your premises. But, many forget that maintaining it is just as important. If you want your surveillance system to truly protect your business and provide you with a peace of mind, it needs to be in good working order at all times. And, since CCTV systems have multiple essential parts, the only way to ensure they're working is to keep them maintained. Thankfully, maintenance doesn't need to be difficult. Following these three simple tips will go a long way.
1. Keep an eye out for wind and rain
CCTV tends to cover the most useful area when placed outside. Of course, any cameras outside your building will be faced with the harsh conditions of changing weather. To keep your system on top of its game, it's important to check it for damage whenever adverse weather occurs. Heavy wind can knock cameras down or change their angle, rendering the view useless and potentially hitting the lens. Likewise, stormy weather can bring a lot of debris to your business. Any dust and dirt kicked up by the wind can scratch or even crack your cameras' bodies and lenses. If left uncleaned, the damage will only get worse over time.
2. Protect the lenses
Unsurprisingly, lenses are a key component of any CCTV system. Without them, you won't be able to see a thing, so you need to maintain them to ensure a clear view of crimes and hazards. As mentioned, storms can stop your lenses from "seeing" well—but they're not the only problem to watch out for. Animal droppings, humidity, vandals and more can all distort or damage lenses, rending them completely useless. Sometimes, you may not even notice your view is blurred until you're reviewing the footage and it's too late. So, remember to clean your cameras' lenses regularly with a gentle cloth and safe solution recommended for use on electronics. You'll also want to inspect them for signs of damage on a frequent basis.
3. Keep a clear distance
Anything that gets in the way of your CCTV system can cause serious problems. You may think there's no harm in stacking boxes against it when you receive a delivery, but surveillance cameras can be fragile. Extra weight can easily damage or loosen the cables the system uses to send information to the monitor. Remember to always keep a clear distance around your cameras to protect them against needless damage.
For more tips, reach out to a security company that offers products like CCTV.
Share19 October 2020
At work we do lots of work on making sure the office stays safe. I try and teach some of those same lessons to the kids, like making sure we don't leave windows and doors open and that we lock the car doors when we come into the house. I don't want my kids to grow up paranoid, but I know it's much easier to maintain our home security if all of these little checks are automatic. I am keeping a track of all of the things I am teaching my kids about security on the site - and working out which lessons actually sink in! Read on and see how I'm going.