Homeowners with smart security cameras or video doorbells are being urged to carry out a simple one-minute check on their phone that could make a significant difference if their home is targeted by burglars. Anthony Neary, security expert at Safe.co.uk, warns that simply installing a smart security camera is not enough.
Many modern security cameras and video doorbells can send an alert directly to a homeowner's smartphone when movement is detected, allowing them to see what is happening at their property even when they are miles away. However, one essential rule must be followed to make the most of the security features: ensure notifications are activated.
Check your notifications
Neary says: "Smart cameras are brilliant for home security, but you're missing one of their biggest benefits if you've got notifications switched off. Take a minute today to open your security app, check that motion alerts are enabled and make sure your phone is allowing notifications from the app. Test the camera afterwards too, so you know an alert actually comes through."
Without an alert, homeowners may not realise something has happened until they return home. A real-time notification gives them the chance to check their live camera feed and establish whether someone is legitimately at the property or whether further action is needed.
Act quickly and alert others
Neary explains: "The real advantage is speed. If you're made aware of suspicious activity straight away, you have the opportunity to act while that person is still at or around your property, rather than discovering what happened hours later."
If you are away from home, a trusted neighbour can be invaluable. Once you have checked your camera feed and spotted something concerning, you can make them aware of what is happening nearby. Neary adds: "You shouldn't ask a neighbour to confront somebody, but making them aware means they can stay vigilant, secure their own property and provide another set of eyes on what's happening."
If a camera appears to show a crime taking place, receiving the notification immediately means homeowners can contact the police rather than waiting until they return to the property. Neary says: "If you believe a burglary is taking place, don't travel home to confront the person yourself. Contact the police and follow their instructions. Your belongings aren't worth putting yourself in danger for."
Use two-way audio and save footage
Many smart cameras and video doorbells have two-way audio, allowing homeowners to speak through the device remotely. Neary says: "Burglars don't want attention, so hearing a voice through a camera makes it immediately obvious that their presence has been noticed. You don't need to threaten or confront them – simply making it clear the property is being monitored may be enough to make them reconsider hanging around."
Finally, homeowners should check not only that alerts are working, but that their device is actually recording footage and that they know how to retrieve and save it. Neary says: "If the worst does happen, footage could be extremely valuable. Make sure you know whether your camera records automatically, where those recordings are stored and how to save a copy before it's overwritten or deleted."
He concludes: "We spend money installing technology to protect our homes, so it's worth spending 60 seconds making sure it's actually set up to tell us when something's wrong. It won't replace strong locks and secure doors, but when you're away from home, that immediate warning gives you a much better opportunity to respond quickly."
