CCTV can be an effective security solution and provide vital evidence against any criminal activity, but ensuring it is correctly maintained is key to ensuring your CCTV is able to serve its purpose.
Keep It Clean
Whether your CCTV is internal or external, it is important to ensure it is kept clean and free of obstructions on the lens. Complete regular checks on your CCTV cameras and clean any marks or dust away as well as any bugs that may have set up home before a cobweb obscures your view at an essential moment!
Lights, Camera, Action!
Be sure to check the camera lens is in focus and providing a clear picture via your video display. If your CCTV offers motion detection, ensure this is working so anybody trespassing can be tracked within the eyeshot of the camera. Finally, either invest in security flood lights or night vision on your CCTV so you can gain a clear picture and evidence of any activity taking place overnight.
Is This Thing On?
Be sure to keep an eye on your control equipment by regularly checking on the quality of the image and that brightness and contrast is adequate to be able to identify and view goings on and people clearly. If you have a monitor system with control panels, be sure to regularly dust the area and check that cables are in good working condition. Also be sure that your video feed is displaying the correct time and date stamp as this can be essential for identifying a criminal.
How Often Should I Maintain My CCTV?
Check up on CCTV on at least a monthly basis to check they are working properly. Colne Valley Security can provide a post-installation support service to ensure your system is always working at its best and that your feed and as a result security are never interrupted or at risk. We have remote maintenance software called Insite which allows us to access your system and run checks for any faults or electrical errors, so while you get on with your day, you can rest assured your system is running effectively thanks to our arranged check ins.
How Long Is Footage Saved For?
This will depend on your CCTV system and storage, but a security camera can keep footage for between 30 to 90 days, so should you need to look back at footage or provide evidence to the police, it is available for you to view and download.
Our CCTV security systems can be operated and accessed via an app on your smartphone, so you can always keep an eye on your feed wherever you are and ensure everything is working as it should. If you ever have a concern about any issues, get in contact with us and we can investigate and in most cases repair remotely.