Apartment Security with IP Cameras

Home security in a new apartment

First thing you should do is change the lock...right? Wrong! The first thing you should do is install an ip surveillance system that you can remotely monitor. If that seems a bit over the top let me start off with an anecdote as to why you should be shopping for one right now.

I recently moved into an apartment in the Downtown area and its nice really as so far as apartments are in the city its really nice. 1000 some odd square feet, wood floors, marble and stainless steel kitchen, tile bathroom, you get it...its nice and like all things nice it isn't cheap. In fact its more than most of my friends houses when you factor in the cable, electric bill and monthly UFC fight.

It's funny all along my rents were prodding me to buy a house. Their argument was a good one. "If you're going to spend that much on rent why not just buy a house and build equity in something?" But I thought I don't want to deal with the pains of owning a house...do I? Well I do now. It's been a dreadful experience living in this apartment. There has been no heat in my apartment for 10 out of the past 30 days. People it's Buffalo, and if you don't know already its cold...0 degrees kinda cold.

Maintenance workers have been in and out of my apartment for most of the month and the only reason I know this is because my front door has been left open a number of times and my year old English bulldog has been left to run around the apartment complex...shes nice (see abov...nice things don't always come cheap). So here in lies the sole reason why IP camera network security has found its way into my life, one word...negligence.

If I would have previously installed a ptz camera system throughout my entire apartment do you think maintenance workers would be walking around my apartment tracking mud all over the wood floors and my black leather couches? I think not.

If your looking to avoid maintenance workers freely meandering in and out of your apartment and watching your brand lcd you may want to think about just replacing that front door lock. Don't you have to give management a copy of that key anyway? What's the point then right? Well the point of having a network camera set up is that you can monitor your English bulldog puppy and all your other possessions from the comfort of your office or in that case any where on the planet.

I know assuming makes an ass out of people and it did to me once again. I assumed that the large management company that I rent from in Buffalo would be privy to the local tenant laws and rights to privacy...well obviously if they are sitting on my couch watching my television letting my bulldog run wild they are not as privy as I thought.

Ok, so I'm rambling a bit let me get back to basics...nanny cams, IP network cams, CCTV...they are all the same. The all have the same task and give or take they all function in similar ways. They protect. They over see. They watch. They watch when an owner can't. Whether you live in the country, in suburbia or in a high rise home security cameras are a modern day necessity in the ever escalating war on crime. They are a cornerstone to protecting your sanctuary...your home.

• They protect your children


• Cameras can protect your favorite sweat shirt or your wifes favorite earrings that cost you about 2 months salary.


• CCTV systems can protect your dog


• Bottom line network cameras can give you the power to watch over all of your possessions from anywhere on the planet.


• IP Network Cameras buy you peace of mind which is something that is not always possible

Are Nanny Cams legal?

Courts rule in favor of nanny cams

It is now currently legal in all 50 states to use a hidden camera that record video without the consent of the nanny. However, the laws vary from state to state on whether you can record audio. Before taping conversation without consent from your nanny was illegal now before you all putting up excessive cameras and audio devices all over your property it is still always a good idea to check with state and local officials. bottom line..check the laws before you go IP crazy.

As we all are well aware of at this point. Nanny Cams are very small cameras, wireless or wired ip cameras, that feed into a VCR kept somewhere else in the house. Some more expensive models can feed to a computer at your work or to your cell phone. Cameras are sold in various household items to be inconspicuous like in a clock, smoke alarm, potted plant, or picture frame. Prices vary anywhere from $100.00 to $1000.00.

Nanny surveillance cams catch burglars

Nanny Cams protect your home

These cameras aren't just for protecting your children there also great at protecting your house when your not at home. You can monitor your house from an IP address and from that you can monitor anywhere you place the cameras in your house. All you need is an internet connection and your entire house can be covered.

for instance if you are on vacation or even right down the street at work you can monitor your home. Say you have a safe in your bedroom and you feel that you need more security around it...well heres the answer, IP surveillance.

I know, I know I tout and tout about it...well its true. If you use IP security you are a step ahead of the criminals. Some people see it as spying...well it isn't. If it is in your own house and it's protecting your goods and valuables then its all fair.

Inexpensive Nanny Cam saves child's life

The above video is horrendous and stomach turning. It is a captured video from an IP camera that shows the mistreatment of an infant. It was captured using an inexpensive nanny cam. This is an item that every home should be outfitted with. take for instance the story above. They suspected that there was abuse happening when the parents and other mindful adults were not around. So they turned to a covert camera such as the one used above to see exactly what was going on with the child.

Protect your kids from Baby Sitter farts!

We have all been there...interviewing baby sitters or being interviewed to be a baby sitter. The following is a list of character flaws to look out for during the interview process and baby sitters this is a cautionary list...so think twice next time you fart on a job interview.

• If the baby sitter sitting across from you asks for a vodka tonic when you ask if she would like a water its not a good start...point her to the door and suggest that she finds a new career...such as a politician they seem like the boozie type.


• If the baby sitter across from you can't stop texting and says things like omg, and lol...show her the door unless you want your new born to only speak aol instant messenger gibberish.


• If the 17 year old baby sitter starts playing footsie with you and answers your wifes questions with a smile...move on...that is unless of course you want to end up in prison.


• If you mention that you have a nanny cam and the baby sitter winks at you and licks her lips...move on, and yes even if she does it to your wife...its prison dummy remember?


• One simple rule that parents always seem to forget...If they have dirt under all of their nails and you feel dirty after shaking their hands imagine them wiping your kids behind...show them the door and hand them a wipee for their time.


• One obvious rule is if you wouldn't want them serving you food at a fast food restaurant then you might want to think about them preparing your children's fish sticks.


• If they smell...politely ask them to leave. there just not going to work out. If they can't bath themselves how the heck are they going to be able to bath your sons after playing in a ditch all day? there not...so move right along and hand them a bar of soap for their time.


• If they burp, fart or are in any way disgusting...show them the door. My 23 year old distant cousin, to this day does all the above and then smiles and says what ever comes from the body is natural, my nanny told me so...and its a girl. Do you want your little princesses or princes doing this on job interviews years from now? I don't think so...politely point to the door and keep looking.


• If the baby sitter sitting across from you smells like a bar or a grateful dead concert...move on. Drugs and alcohol really don't mix. Move on and point them to the nearest rehab facility or don't its your call.

MSNBC Nanny Cam Expose - child abuse caught on tape

Nanny Cams caught child abuse

IP Cameras can give you both peace of mind and security. Look at what was recently captured on a home ip surveillance camera. Just look at what happened to these children in this home. It truly is appalling. I can't imagine what it would be like to see my children being simply thrown around. The woman in the video immediately got into her car left work and drove home only to find the baby sitter sitting on the couch and not paying any attention at all to her children.

You have to remember a baby sitters privacy of course but the security and well being of your children your first responsibility. So if you do plan on using a thermostat nanny cam you could possibly use it in a proactive way and we'll talk more about that in our next post.