Securing Your Front Door: How Front Door Cameras Keep You Safe

Anyone who’s ever experienced a home break-in knows the feeling of losing your sense of safety and privacy.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Crime Data Explorer, there were more than 3.4 million property crime incidents in 2020.

The good news is that you can help protect yourself and your family by taking a few simple steps to enhance your home security, such as securing your front door with a surveillance system.

Keep reading to learn how front door cameras can help keep your property safe and how to choose the right one for your needs.

How can front door cameras help keep you safe?

Having a second pair of eyes looking at your home 24/7 can give you valuable peace of mind whether you’re at home, out of town, or at work.

Here are some ways a front door camera can help keep your home safe.

Discourage criminal activity

No big surprise here: Criminals don’t want to be spotted or recorded, which means they’re likely to discontinue their attempt if they spot a present surveillance system in the area.

Thanks to technology, many modern outdoor cameras are equipped with motion sensors that can detect lurkers and scare them off if they linger for too long.

For example, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro has a Smart Deter feature that plays a loud sound and flashes an LED ring to let the lurker know they’ve been seen.

This way, you can rest assured knowing your home is protected around the clock, wherever you are.

Check before letting people in

From package deliveries to unexpected guests and house staff, your doorbell is likely to ring quite a few times in a given day.

Thanks to front door cameras, you can see who’s there from your mobile device or touch-screen base station like the Vivint Smart Hub. If you have a Vivint security camera, you can also use the two-way talk feature to ask the reason for the visit before opening the door.

See the porch when you aren’t home

Monitoring what’s happening near your home can ensure your property and family are safe when you’re not around.

Intruders may linger outside your home before entering. With a Vivint camera system in place, you’ll be able to see them when they arrive and even send a warning through the Smart Deter or two-way talk feature.

And in the unfortunate case of theft or burglary, you can help law enforcement trace the criminal by showing camera records — meaning a higher chance of getting your valuables back.

Watch over those at home

Your outdoor security camera system can alert you the moment someone arrives at your door, which can put an end to worrying about your kids coming home after school or other activities.

Moreover, you can use your home security system to check that the babysitter arrived on time, confirm your guests left safely, or see why your dog is barking.

Types of front door security cameras

The world of home security has been expanding with different types of security cameras available on the market.

When it comes to keeping your front door safe, you can consider two types of wired or wireless cameras: smart video doorbell cameras and outdoor security cameras.

Let’s find out more.

Doorbell cameras

Whether you want to check who’s outside your door before opening your home or give instructions to the delivery person when you’re not there, wireless video doorbells can come in handy.

The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is equipped with advanced functionality and smart integrations (like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant) to keep you connected and aware of what’s happening around your home.

Take a look at some of the benefits.

• Protect your home with a live view of your front door. The Vivint Doorbell Pro can provide a live video stream of your home and surroundings no matter where you are. You can view, manage, and share HD video clips through your mobile device, computer, or tablet. With the Vivint Smart Drive, you can review footage up to 30 days old directly from the Vivint app or Smart Hub with security DVR.
• Get notified when a package arrives. Package theft is more common than you might think. But the good news is that you can increase your front porch security by installing a doorbell camera with package detection. This way, you’ll be notified in real time as a package arrives at your front door.
• Get motion detection throughout the day (and night). Equipped with infrared night vision, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro can give you that much-needed peace of mind even when the sun goes down., This rugged device is equipped with a motion sensor and facial recognition technology and sends notifications when something suspicious is happening outside your front door — day or night.
• Enjoy a home automation experience. If you love smart home automation, you can connect your Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro to your other smart home devices, such as floodlight cameras, smart locks, and your garage door. Having a fully automated security system means you can open the door while talking to visitors, close the garage door from your mobile device, and automatically switch on the lights when someone arrives at your front door.

Outdoor cameras

If you want to keep your property and family safe, securing your front door with an outdoor camera can be a good idea.

Made to withstand the elements and extreme weather conditions, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is a weatherproof device designed to monitor the exterior of your home around the clock.

Here are some benefits.

• View movement even when the weather is bad. Outdoor cameras are made from weather-resistant materials to provide a clear view of your home regardless of the weather. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro has an IP65 rating, which means it can withstand dust and moisture pretty well. Moreover, it delivers 1080p HD video quality, color night vision, and a 140-degree field of view, allowing you to see clearly even when it’s dark or stormy.
• Deter burglars right away. Equipped with Smart Deter technology, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro can proactively scare off lurkers with loud sound and LED illumination. Knowing they’ve been spotted will discourage burglars and vandals from continuing their attempt.
• Keep a video record. Being able to go back and review suspicious activity is important for ensuring your valuables are safe and protected. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro lets you set scheduled times for recording. For instance, you can set up a custom action for your security camera to start recording as soon as you leave for work.
• Manage your outdoor camera remotely. You don’t need access to your base station to manage your home security camera. With Vivint, you can use your home security system through your Wi-Fi connection.

What to look for in front door cameras

It’s important to keep a few things in mind after deciding to invest in a front door camera.

• Resolution: The last thing you want is to invest in a camera that doesn’t meet your video quality expectations. Opting for a 1080p high dynamic range (HDR) camera is a great option when you need clear footage.
• Weather resistance: Your outdoor camera lives outside, so it must be durable against the elements and extreme weather conditions. Look at the IP rating in the device’s specifications to understand how your camera responds to dust and moisture.
• Motion detection: Cameras equipped with motion sensors begin recording when someone is around your home, whether a visitor or package delivery person. You can also choose to receive alerts on your mobile device by adjusting the notification settings.
• Night vision: It’s not worth investing in a camera that doesn’t deliver a clear image in the dark. With night vision, you can rest assured that your home and family are protected day and night.
• Smart home integration: We live in a connected world, and being able to integrate your home security camera with other smart devices is essential for creating a fully automated home experience.
• Field of view: Cameras with a wide angle, such as the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, capture a large area so you can clearly see what’s happening outside your front door and driveway.
• Connectivity: When it comes to exterior cameras, wired home security systems tend to be more reliable. Knowing you’re constantly connected through cables means you don’t have to worry about weak network connections or low battery power or battery life.
• Two-way audio: Being able to talk to your visitors or the delivery person can come in handy in various situations. That’s why it might be a good idea to look for a surveillance system with two-way audio capabilities.
• Storage: When it comes to home security cameras, different storage options are available, including local and cloud storage. What you choose will ultimately depend on your needs and budget since cloud storage typically comes with a monthly fee.

Where should you place a security camera on a front door?

One great place to mount a smart security camera is on the front door, with a clear view of the surrounding area and driveway. Ensure your security camera is visible, as it can deter potential burglars from making a break-in attempt in the first place.

Vivint’s smart home pros can install your home security system based on your home’s layout and security needs. Professional installation helps ensure your camera functions properly and integrates with your current smart home setup.

Front door cameras: the bottom line

If safety is your priority, getting a front door camera should be on the top of your list. Equipped with an array of advanced features and intelligent technology, Vivint home security cameras stand out from any other surveillance systems on the market.

Contact our Smart Home Pros at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.