This is general guidance. Check the law where you live before recording people.
Where to place cameras
- Front and back doors: the most common entry points.
- Driveway or garage: for vehicles and packages.
- Ground-floor windows that are easy to reach.
- Mount at roughly 2.5 to 3 metres, angled down, out of easy reach.
- Avoid pointing straight into the sun, which washes out the picture.
Where not to point a camera
- Bathrooms, bedrooms or changing areas, for anyone, including guests and tenants.
- Neighbours’ windows, gardens or entrances.
- Public streets beyond what is needed to cover your own property. Some countries limit this.
Protect the footage
- Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication where offered.
- Keep the camera and app updated.
- Change the default Wi-Fi password and use WPA2 or WPA3.
- Share access only with people who need it, and remove old users.
- Know where footage is stored and for how long, and delete what you no longer need.
Tell people
A small sign saying cameras are in use is courteous and, in some places, required. See also light bulb camera setup tips.