Using spy cameras helps us to keep watch over our homes and offices. You can go about your daily activities without having to worry about the safety of your belongings or family. You are sure that if something goes wrong, your spy camera will capture every moment. When someone tries to harm you or your loved ones, you will get notified in time. If you file a lawsuit against the culprit, the recorded video footage could serve as evidence in court.
Aside from apprehending criminals, people use spy cameras for other personal and security reasons. Some use it to keep tabs on their kids when they are with the nanny or caregiver. Others use it to watch over their spouse when they’re home or out on a business trip alone. You can also use spy cameras to check in on your elderly relatives who are left with their housekeepers when you’re away. Some business owners use spy cameras to keep an eye on their employees in case of misconduct in the workplace.
If you must keep watch over people, then you must be discreet about it. That means you must keep it out of sight. You can’t carry your spy camera like a badge for everyone to see unless it is a camouflage camera disguised as a regular object. Before buying a spy camera, take a look around your house or office and ask yourself,
“Where can I hide my spy camera?” Meanwhile, we have an interesting piece on nanny cameras that you may want to read.
Places to Hide Your Spy Camera
Your spy camera should be placed in a hidden and secured spot in your house. Think of a spot nobody pays attention to or would want to look at. Here’s a list of places you can hide your spy camera in your home and at the office.
1. The Living Room
TV Set: Every home has a television, in the living room, in the bedroom, in the study, and even in the kitchen. You can keep your spy camera on the Tv like a fancy decor. You can also hide it in the Tv knob.
Decorative Vases: You can hide your camera in one of the beautiful vases in your living room. An intruder could stop to touch and admire it without suspecting a thing.
Bookshelf: No one would ever suspect an old cluttered and dusty shelf in the hallway or study. They may stop to flip through some books, but they will never imagine that a spy camera could be hiding in there. Looking for somewhere to hide your spy camera? This could be a great idea.
Potted Plants/Flower Vases: Vibrant colourful plants and flowers will give your living room a refreshing touch. Their lovely scent will give your home a natural ambiance. They could also be a good place to hide your spy camera.
Toys: If you have kids who play with all kinds of toys, you can take one of them and put a small micro spy camera inside. Preferably, use those toys they often leave lying on the floor or the couch, teddy bears, toy cars, building blocks, and stuffed animals.
2. The Bedroom
Wardrobe: Although this is a frequently visited place in the room, putting your camera here would attract no suspicion. You can mount your spy camera in an enclosed part of the wardrobe. Nobody expects you to mount such a device among a pile of clothes and shoes.
Nightstand: Most bedrooms come with nightstands which could be a good place to hide your spy camera. You can hide it behind the alarm clock, radio, or picture frame on the nightstand. You could even get a spy camera disguised as an alarm clock and place it on the nightstand. No one will ever suspect a thing.
Curtain Rod: This is also a good place to hide your spy camera. A tiny spy camera that can only be seen from a 10 feet distance can be placed on the curtain rod. You can adjust it to get a better viewing angle.
Tissue Boxes: I bet you never thought of this. The idea is to hide your spy camera where no one would ever imagine. People use old tissue and gift boxes for different purposes in the home. You can hide your spy camera inside one of such boxes. If the box has a thick surface layer, make a tiny hole and insert the camera. You can also hide it in your safe or jewelry box.
Wall Mirror: A two-sided mirror would be great for hiding a spy camera. You can also buy a mirror already pre-installed with a spy camera.
Lampstand: You can hide your spy camera inside the lamp holder before fixing the bulb. If the lampstand has two bulbs, you could remove one of the light bulbs and replace it with the spy camera. Just make sure that no one tries to fix or change the bulbs.
3. The Kitchen
This may prove to be a different place to hide your camera because of the activities that go on there. The best way to do this is to buy spy cameras that are designed to look like kitchen wares and items. If you take a look here, you will find spy cameras disguised as coffee mugs, ceramic plates, glasses, lighters, candles, water cans, and bowls.
4. The Office
Electrical Outlets/Switches: Your electrical outlets are positioned in different parts of the office. You could install tiny or mini spy cameras in the office switch or electric outlets. You can do the same in your home. Nobody will suspect it’s something other than a mere switch. If possible get a fake switch and place it somewhere between the main switch.
Laptops: Most offices have computers and other smart devices that make work fast and easy. You can hide your camera on the PC screen, speakers, and mouse. Or you can replace the regular speakers with spy cameras designed as speakers.
Walls: This is probably the most commonplace for your spy cameras to be mounted. However, you must ensure that the colour of the wall is the same as your camera. With this, intruders will be unable to notice a camera in place.
Computer Desk: Some spy cameras can be mistaken for computer webcams. If your office desktop computers, you can place the camera close to the speakers and other computer accessories. Even if someone eyes it, they would pass it off as a webcam.
Locks: It may be time to change your office locks. Upgrade all your bolts in different entry and exit points of the office with camouflage spy cameras.
Challenges with Hidden Spy Cameras
Hiding your spy camera may not be as easy-breezy as it sounds. You may encounter one or two challenges. But don’t let that discourage you. It’s just a heads-on on what to expect so you can be prepared to deal with it.
Internet Disruptions
If you are using one of those spy cameras enhanced with internet connectivity, you may experience internet fluctuations every once in a while. This is because your spy camera is enclosed, and may be unable to retain network services. If you will be using a WiFi-enabled spy camera, ensure that your internet connectivity is strong. This will keep your video footage clear and bright.
Theft/Burglary
Outsiders may steal your cameras when they find them. This is why you mustn’t mount your camera when a stranger or guest is around you. Also, ensure that you hide an enclosed spot that won’t easily be found. You can use wearable spy cameras like ball pens, lipsticks, flash drives or even smoke detectors.
Weather Changes
Unstable weather changes like heavy rain and wind can disrupt your camera from working effectively. While you may not have control over the weather, try to hide your camera in a spot with proper lighting so it does capture dark images. Also, ensure that no objects are obstructing the lens of your camera.
Finally, if you must use a spy camera, then it should be for a decent and logical purpose. There are laws put in place for people who keep surveillance on others without prior notice or permission. Be sure to use your spy camera with caution.