Old farm house.

[Gizmo36]

My farm house has been broke in 4 time in the last 3 month. I told my wife, I need to just open the door. And tell ever one to come and get what they want. No one lives there and I cannot keep an eye on it 24 hours a day. They even took some old pictures of family . Now why would someone need our pictures that痴 crazy.

 

[zionview]

Some company is putting a gas line through this area. The crime rate has skyrocketed- 6 break-ins in our neighborhood alone! 'Bout time to lock and load.

 

[tractorman99]

I was talking to a ADT installer he said alot of people that have vacation home was set up security camera system and wire them in to a network so you can check them from the internet and you can record 150 day of footage.

 

[shane]

Just put up a sign: "If you can read this you are being video recorded". It may plant enough doubt to run off the thieves.

 

[dogtired]

Just put up a sign: "If you can read this you are being video recorded". It may plant enough doubt to run off the thieves.

Video is cheap today
real cheap , just do it for real

Plus Farm Bureau 2500 reward signs help, people who steal are rats and rats are afraid .

 

[horse7]

If there isn't anything much of value at the house, I'd be more worried about vandalism. The loss can be much much higher.

Scarecrows might work (signs and fake cameras and things that look like window breakage sensors and such).

Real video has to go somewhere or it won't be any better than a scarecrow. A cheap DVR that is any good is hundreds of dollars; using a service like ADT has a monthly fee, and running your own IPTV link means paying for broadband at that house.

One possibility, if you personally know anyone reliable in the area that can do it, is to offer the house as a place to stay for free, they just got to stay there and not break anything. This works for some people around here, they have someone stay in their house when they are in Florida for the winter so they don't have to worry about pipes breaking or criminals or the insurance company which usually doesn't cover contents if the house is "vacant" for 30 days or more (read the policy fine print). Finding someone like that can be really hard though, and if you are a weekender it would not work out probably. [there are lots of people that would like to stay in your house for free, but hardly anyone that would do so and not damage things. Even fewer will leave things alone and fewer still fix broken things while there are there... and I know this because I used to stay in people's houses sometimes, if there was some compensating condition like being closer to work or my place needing a major component repaired. It is a real PITA moving 2x/yr though, and basically living out of a few suitcases isn't for everyone.]

 

[Gizmo36]

I seen a camera on the net that looks like a smoke alarm . but I cannot find it now ,if I do I am going to put one of them in there and see if I can get them on camera.

 

[tractorman99]

Hidden Camera and Covert Camera Store Has what you are looking for.

 

[woodlandfarms]

IMO, a security camera in the house is a bad idea. I have both of my houses "protected" with security cameras and will not put one inside. Putting one outside is justifiable in use.

If you want some help on this I have written a few notes in hear on using a security camera and my experience with them.

Carl

 

[Danno1]

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A camera inside is a bad idea because of privacy issues or technical issues?

.

 

[tractorman99]

If security camera is directly hooked to the dvr or a computer that's not connect to the Internet your good. But if it is you never know how watching you. But you could possibly setup a system that you could take it off the air when your stay there and then put it back on the air when your gone.

 

[mjncad]

Just put up a sign: "If you can read this you are being video recorded". It may plant enough doubt to run off the thieves.

Make sure the sign is printed in English and Spanish and hope the bad guys can read.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I don't like a camera inside due to privacy issues. Technically the small hidden cameras are grainy at best. And if you are not a pro, usually pretty easy to spot due to wiring....

But it is really about the privacy. We let people vacation at our woodland house all the time, and I know that the camera outside makes them a bit uncomfortable.... Also, for me it really becomes tempting to spy on someone cause I know the camera is there. Then again I have low moral standards....


That said anytime you record something you run the risk of it becoming public. I figure if there is a thief breaking into my house I will catch him going in and coming out with my stuff. That is enough for me...


Heck my neighbor came up to borrow my tractor and this is how he dressed... Yes, no kidding...