Whether you are a homeowner or someone who owns or runs a business, you know how important security is. Crime is constantly on the rise, and even petty theft can break your business. A full-scale robbery can cause you to lose everything. Adding a burglar alarm system to your business is a great step toward preventing these crimes, but adding a surveillance camera system as well can provide even more protection and a higher sense of safety and security.

If you are on a budget, however, you might be thinking about installing a few fake security cameras in or around your home or business. Many people use fake security cameras and have great results from them, but others do not feel comfortable depending on fake security cameras at all. Before purchasing fake security cameras for your home, it is important to think over a few things so that you can make a well-informed decision. This article is dedicated to going over the pros and cons of fake security cameras; you can use this information to determine whether a fake security camera is a good decision for your home or business or if you should instead consider springing for a real surveillance camera system.

What Are Fake Security Cameras?

Fake security cameras are cameras that are designed to look real, even though they aren’t real at all. There are tons of different fake security cameras out there for you to choose from, and they come in all different styles, sizes and colors. Some even have special features, like a fake pan/tilt/zoom feature or a realistic blinking power light, while others are relatively basic. People often choose their fake security cameras based on the type of business that they run, and many choose the style of fake security camera that best matches the real security cameras that they own. There are huge selections of cameras to choose from; you simply have to take your time to determine which ones are best for you, and you also have to decide if fake security cameras are a good solution for your situation.

Fake security cameras are usually available from a variety of retailers. You can typically find fake security cameras that are relatively realistic by shopping at basic retail stores, but you can usually find even better fake security cameras if you shop with an online retailer that specializes in selling security cameras and related accessories. Shopping online will allow you to see the many different types of security cameras that are available, and you will have a much larger selection to choose from when it comes to different styles, sizes and colors.

What Are The Advantages of Having Fake Security Cameras?

Having fake security cameras is certainly better than having no security cameras at all. A lot of people cannot tell the difference between fake security cameras and real ones, and the sight alone of a “security camera” is often enough to scare a petty thief enough that he will talk himself out of the crime that he was planning on committing.

Many homeowners and business owners feel much safer once they install fake security cameras in their home. The reason that most of these individuals choose to purchase fake security cameras instead of real ones is because they are much more affordable in many cases, and they do not require any maintenance other than an occasional wipe-down for aesthetic purposes and in order to make them seem more realistic.

What Are The Disadvantages of Having Fake Security Cameras?

Although having fake security cameras is certainly a better alternative than not taking any security precautions at all, it is important to remember that they are not real. Always remember that a real security camera is a safer bet than a fake one.

When Are Fake Security Cameras a Good Idea?

If you already have an existing surveillance camera system and would like to boost its effectiveness, you can do so rather cheaply with the use of fake security cameras. Simply make sure that your real security cameras are placed in the most important spots, and add a few fake security cameras in other places. For instance, in a retail store, you might want to place your real security cameras at your entrances and exits, over your cash registers and in areas of the store where you have expensive merchandise; you can then place fake security cameras in your break rooms or in your office for an extra level of protection. Home owners might want to place real security cameras in their driveway, near their front door and close to their garage or carport, but they can then place fake security cameras in their garden or inside of their home. However, it is important to make sure that your fake security cameras blend in well with your existing cameras in order for them to work. Look for dummy security cameras that are similar in color, size and style to your regular security cameras so that potential thieves will not be able to notice the difference.

If you already have a burglar alarm, you might feel comfortable with the idea of only using dummy security cameras. Burglar alarms typically provide a relatively good level of security for most homes and businesses, especially if you live in a safe neighborhood or operate your business in an area that is secure, but you can always benefit from having a real security camera system. Adding in a few dummies to supplement your burglar alarm, however, is always a good idea.

Fake security cameras are also a good idea if you feel relatively secure but want to scare of petty thieves who might attempt to steal something. Placing a fake security camera near jewelry or other valuable items in your home, for instance, might keep a scared teenage babysitter from slipping things into her pocket, or it might keep the same babysitter from inviting her boyfriend over while you are away or spending too much time on the telephone when she should be watching your little one. In situations where you feel secure in general, a fake security camera can simply make you feel a little bit safer.

If you are on a tight budget and simply cannot afford to purchase a real security system right now, you should certainly consider purchasing fake security cameras to give your home some sort of safety and security. You can often purchase basic models of fake security cameras very cheaply, and you can at least feel a little better knowing that many potential thieves, vandals and other people with bad intention might be fooled by your fake security camera, even though you have not spent a lot of money on a real security camera system.

When Are Fake Security Cameras a Bad Idea?

It is important to remember that fake security cameras are not the same as real ones. Not only can smart and experienced thieves sometimes tell the difference between real and fake security cameras, but you also must remember that you will not have any surveillance footage in the event that something happens in your home or business.

If you live or own a business in a dangerous area with a lot of crime, it is usually worth your while to purchase a real security camera system. Real security cameras really are not all that expensive, and they can be invaluable when it comes to your safety and security. Once you have purchased a real security camera system for your home or business, you can consider filling it in with a few dummy cameras for an added measure of security.

For those who have serious and legitimate concerns about their security, fake security cameras are probably not a good idea. These individuals will still not feel safe and secure, and they will be at a higher risk of robbery or other crimes. If you are one of these people, you should look into purchasing a real surveillance system. Real surveillance systems can often be purchased affordably, especially if you have a smaller home or business to monitor, and the price will surely be worth the money that you will save by not being robbed and the higher sense of safety that you and your family or employees will feel.

What Is The Bottom Line When It Comes To The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fake Security Cameras?

In the end, it is certainly better to have fake security cameras than not having any cameras at all. However, do not let your fake security cameras lure you into a false sense of security. Although they do work as rather clever decoys in many instances, even the best of fake security cameras cannot always trick an experienced and crafty thief, and these individuals will simply laugh at your fake security camera while still stealing your valuables.

Your best bet in most situations is to purchase a real security system that consists of both a burglar alarm and a surveillance system. If you shop around and do your research, you can often find these systems for discount prices, especially if you shop with retailers that specialize in selling security systems and related items and accessories. However, do not hesitate to purchase a fake security camera if you are unable to purchase a “real” security system right now — you will be glad that you at least took some steps toward safety for your home or business. A fake security camera is certainly more effective than no security camera at all, and you can always replace your fake cameras with real ones later on down the road if you find that you would feel safer with a real surveillance system or if your financial situation changes.

What Should I Look For When Buying Fake Security Cameras?

Although the point of purchasing fake security cameras instead of real ones is to save money, you probably do not want to purchase the cheapest fake security cameras that are out there. If you go for a very cheap model, you will find yourself with a fake security camera that seems more like a toy.

It is better to go with fake security cameras that are in the middle price range. These cameras are often sturdier and longer-lasting, but this is not the only reason that they are worth more money. Better fake security cameras are often much more realistic, and they will be far more likely to fool potential thieves than a fake security camera that looks like a child’s toy.

One thing to look for is a realistic style that works well with your home or business. Some people choose a fake dome that looks like a ceiling-mounted security camera; these types of fake security cameras often work well in stores and business. Fake security cameras that mount on walls are often a good choice, and they can often be used both indoors and out. If you have real security cameras and are simply trying to add onto your system without spending a lot of money, try to find fake security cameras that look very similar to your real cameras. In many cases, most thieves will not be able to tell the difference, and you can save money by purchasing fake security cameras instead of additional real units.

You should also look at the features that are included with your fake security camera. Some fake security cameras include realistic-looking cords and wires, blinking lights that are designed to mimic a power light and fake tilt/pan/zoom capabilities that appear to track and follow someone’s movement. These features can add to the authentic feel of your fake security cameras, but make sure that the features actually look realistic before going for one of these security cameras.