The utilization of a fake outdoor security camera to protect your property can be a good idea if everything is done properly. However, it is important to recognize the limitations of this passive form of security which works on the same principle as lighting security. It is merely trying to get into the heads of the would-be burglars before they get into your house. The use of a fake camera is only acceptable in environments where a real camera is not necessary and when it is used there are some key considerations for maximum effectiveness.

The thing about using fake security cameras is that it is an all or nothing deal. Once the criminal determines that your camera is a fake, it can do absolutely nothing to help you unless you have other protection strategies in place. That is why a fake camera is a good complement to keep criminals from encroaching close enough to trigger any alarms. The key to installing a fake camera is letting the would-be offenders know that whoever owns or manages the property is serious about security. This also means keeping the fake camera in a believable condition. When you install your first fake camera, you will discover that animals love to make homes on or around your fake equipment so be sure to check periodically and clean the install site.

To make the camera as believable as possible it is never a good idea to buy something that is too cheap. In fact, there are some very cheap looking cameras that are more akin to toys than anything real. But on the opposite end of the spectrum there are some high end fake cameras that look and even act real. Some come with motion sensors that either turn on an LED indicator light to provide the appearance of recording. Others use motion sensors to follow the object, namely a person, so it looks like there is another person in a monitoring room watching and controlling the camera.