Security cameras are getting more popular for many reasons. The prices are coming down, crime feels like it is going up, and they are more readily available. But with the increased popularity also comes a lot of questions.
One of the most popular questions is: do real security cameras have blinking lights? People want to know this for any number of reasons. Today we are here to answer that question and give you a little bit of information behind that question.
Most security cameras do not have a flashing red light. A red light gives away where a camera is positioned and the fact that it is there in the first place. Some older security cameras may have included this as a feature but you would be hard pressed to find one that still does. The idea of having a blinking light does not come from functional security cameras.
Blinking lights stem from fake security cameras. Some businesses and other properties have decided to install fake cameras over the years. In order to make people believe that the property has security cameras, they have blinking lights. These blinking lights attract attention to the fake cameras.
If you talk to most security experts in the world today, they will tell you not to get a fake security cameras. Criminals have learned to tell the difference between fake security cameras and real security cameras, and thus can tell if a property is safe to hit. That flashing little light is a big indicator that a camera is fake.
Additionally, fake security cameras do not do as much as their makers would have you believe. They do not deter much crime. Most importantly they do not record crime or other incidents. Fake cameras lull you into a false sense of security. You believe that it is actually there to serve a purpose.
The false sense of security that fake cameras instill has actually led property owners into lawsuits. Customers, visitors, and employees have attempted to sue property owners after crimes are committed on their property due to the fact that they felt safe believing there are cameras there. You might think that this is weird, but by installing what appear to be real cameras you are likely making people feel safer there and diverting them from walking or being in areas without cameras.
Even if you find a security camera with blinking lights, we would recommend avoiding it. Criminals will think it is a fake camera and there will be less of a deterrence factor. Further, the blinking light serves no practical use and can draw attention to your camera system when you want it to be discreet. Many modern security camera systems have some cameras in obvious places while others are in more discreet locations.
One last point to keep in mind is that there are faint red lights that will be emitted from the lens area of real security cameras. These lights are infrared illumination used to light up the dark and allow the camera to see. You wouldn’t be able to see these IR lights from far away and they will be steady, not blinking. You can also see IR lights illuminated brightly through the camera on your phone as the camera is able to pick up the lights.
Security cameras have dropped quite a bit in cost. Allowing many people and businesses to afford security cameras and their installation. A real security camera system can provide you with far more benefits than a fake security camera system can.
Safety and security are important and that is not something that you will get from a fake security camera. Fake cameras provide little to no protection at all. This can be exhibited by the numerous articles on the internet about how to detect fake security cameras. If you are interested in creating a true security presence on your property you should speak to a security camera installation professional. These experts will be able to get you up and running in no time.
