Ward off Winter Security System Malfunctions with These Maintenance Tips

Cold Weather Cameras

If you’re using cameras for security and you live or work in a cold climate, the practice can be frustrating if you don’t follow a few guidelines to get the most out of your surveillance system. You will find yourself dealing with the complications snow, ice and low temperatures throw at you time and time again unless you take steps to get more out of your security system. Here are a few tips to do just that.

Made for the Job

First, make sure your cameras are made to do the job you expect of them. You may be relying on a device that’s simply not rated to perform optimally once temperatures dip below a certain point. If you get a lot of wet snow and sleet, make sure the camera you choose is water-tight and can handle the moisture that will inevitably land on it if it’s installed in a place where it will be regularly exposed to weather. You should also determine how low temperatures actually go in your area and plan on buying cameras that can handle the conditions. If you live in a place where temperatures plunge well below zero, consider using cameras that utilize heating and blowing components that will keep ice from clouding your lenses.

Keeping Cameras Clean

Aside from having the right equipment, there are a few maintenance steps you can take to make sure you’re allowing your cameras to function at their best. First, and this is a simple one, make sure to clean the lenses on a regular basis. The standard dust and dirt build up, when mixed with moisture that snow brings, can easily impact visibility on recordings when allowed to remain on delicate lenses. Also, check on your camera connectors and cables. Harsh weather can be rough on these components, resulting in breakage or displacement. Simply replacing frayed cables and exposed wires and making sure connectors remain tight can allow you to head off a problem at the pass before you lose hours of potentially valuable security footage without realizing it.

Cold in the South

When people think of the American Southeast, they often don’t realize that Southerners experience winter in a significant way, just like other areas of the country that are typically considered colder. There are portions of Georgia, particularly toward the northern part of the state, that can become and remain quite cold during the winter season. If you’re operating cameras for security in these conditions, you need to take these prolonged cold snaps into account so as not to lose your footage when you most need it. So, when you’re looking into a security camera installation service in Atlanta, make sure the company is prepared to equip your system for the winter months. You’ll appreciate the extra precautions when you experience your first Georgia snowstorm!