The aftermath of Autumn and Winter can be devastating for a CCTV system as it endures rough treatment day in day out. The inclement weather conditions and environmental issues cause havoc to the effectiveness and performance of external security systems.
Dark nights brought with them the reluctance to carry out any tasks outside, unless imperative. Unfortunately, CCTV systems tend to drop down the priority task list. Before long, we reach April and it hasn’t been checked for 6 months.
In spring and summer, the days get longer and the air gets warmer. As this could affect your camera system, we have some helpful tips.
- Foliage & Bugs. Leaves growing back on trees create double trouble. Foliage creeps into the detector zones (causing false alarms) plus the greenery attracts all kinds of bugs. Cameras are especially great for spiders to build their home. Maintaining regular gardening and keeping cameras clear (with a feather duster for example) helps to prevent these problems. Specialist insect repellent designed for CCTV is also available as a proactive approach.
- System and Lighting timers. If your CCTV system and/or lighting are set by a timer, please ensure that the times are suitable. For example, if you close your business later in summer, your timer might need changing accordingly.
- Overheating Equipment. Please ensure your remote monitoring DVR or NVR is kept in a ventilated room. Without adequate flow of air, equipment can overheat and fail.
- Servicing helps longevity of a system. Consider your CCTV system like a central heating boiler system or car. We recommend contacting your installer to perform a service visit if one has not been carried out for 6 months. If you do not have a regular installer, please contact us and we would be delighted to introduce you to one of our approved companies.
Just a few simple inspections can help to ensure that the system is working at optimum efficiency during the period where criminal activity can become as rife as the foliage.
