Security is always a concern. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting to keep your family safe or a business owner looking to ensure the safety of your premises, equipment, and employees, making additions to your security system is never a bad investment. Security cameras to surveil the premises are a popular choice for home and business owners all over Canada, but they can be difficult to shop for due to their many features and abilities.
When it comes to picking the right outdoor security camera in Canada, one of the top factors to consider is your province’s climate. Not all cameras perform the same in all weather conditions, so picking a make and model that is made for Canadian climates is paramount in ensuring your safety year-round and avoiding costly replacements down the line. Not sure what to look for? Here are the top features to look for in outdoor security cameras to suit your home and business in Canada.
High IP Rating
The IP rating (also known as Ingress Protection Rating or International Protection Rating) is a way to measure the effectiveness of the enclosure of certain electrical devices in protecting components from dust and liquids. The rating is presented with the letters IP, followed by 2 digits. The first digit indicates protection from solids such as dust and other solid particles. It is ranked on a scale of 0 to 6, 0 indicating an enclosure offering no protection and 6 indicating a dust-tight enclosure. The second digit indicates protection from liquid impact such as rain and snow. It is ranked on a scale of 0 to 9, 0 indicating an enclosure offering no protection and 9 indicating no harmful effects when tested against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. For areas experiencing drier summers, the higher the dust rating the better, while the same holds for wetter West Coast climates and the liquid protection indicator.
Anti-fog Coating
While Canada is not known for having scorching temperatures all year, the summers can be balmy and cause issues for outdoor security cameras. As humidity rises, fogging can occur, blurring part of the lens, and creating undesirable blind spots. Anti-fog coatings are available on many outdoor security camera models and are great for homes and businesses in or near high-humidity areas such as woodsy areas, marshes, etc. This coating keeps the lens clear no matter what.
Temperature-regulated Cameras
Seasons change, and so does the temperature. From the high 30s in the summer to the high -30s in the winter, temperatures in Canada are wide-ranging, but only some cameras can withstand this range. When shopping for a camera to keep your home or business safe, consider whether you live in a more temperate area like the Pacific Northwest or if you experience the full gamut of weather events Canada has to offer. If the latter, you might want to look for a camera with temperature-sensible features such as:
Temperature sensors
Built-in heating elements
Specialized fans
Fortified Mounts
Howling winds can be detrimental to your security equipment. As wind speeds increase, pressure and strain are added to the mounts of your outdoor security cameras, putting them in jeopardy. If you live in an area where high winds are frequent, investing in fortified mounts for your cameras will help keep them where they need to be and will keep them from malfunctioning or falling off during storms.
Trust the Security Experts at Guardian Security Solutions
If you want to invest in a solid security system that can withstand any challenge the Canadian climates bring but don’t know where to start, contact Guardian Security Solutions. Serving Lethbridge and Calgary, our team can address your security concerns with outdoor security cameras, monitoring services, alarm systems and more. We are proud to be part of your safety since 2005.