When you’re looking to put a spy camera in a room, you want to ensure no one ever finds it.
You may be confident that your instincts of theft are right, but you have no concrete evidence to prove it. A spy camera can come in very handy in these situations. Install the spy camera in the area you want to monitor and record in real-time.
Below I go through different locations and ideas.
1. Household items
Items such as smoke detectors, books, stuffed toys, and decoration pieces can make great hiding places for your spy camera.
There are many household objects where you can hide a security camera. Here are a few ideas:
- Smoke detector
- Wall clock
- Lamp
- Picture frame
- Plant
- Air purifier
- Speaker
- Teddy bear or another stuffed animal
2. Smoke detector Camera (Deep Dive)
This is an incredibly efficient place to have your spy camera because most people do not suspect smoke detectors. And they also double as a household implement, so you get the double benefit of the detector with a camera inside.
Here are the general steps to set up and use a smoke detector security camera:
- Install the smoke detector in the desired location according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Connect the smoke detector to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This usually involves using a mobile app to connect to the camera’s network and enter your home network’s login information.
- Configure the camera settings using the mobile app. This typically includes setting up motion detection, adjusting the camera’s field of view, and setting up alerts.
- Once the camera is set up and configured, you can monitor the footage remotely using the mobile app. You can see live footage, review recorded footage, and receive alerts if motion is detected.
- Remember to test the smoke detector regularly, as it still has the primary role of smoke detection.
- Remember that some smoke detector camera products may require a subscription to cloud storage to save the footage.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local laws and regulations regarding surveillance and privacy. Ensure proper consent before installing a security camera on someone else’s property.
3. Tissue box
This is commonplace to hide a spy camera. You must carve a small hole within the box and cover it using the tissue box designed. Then you can put many things around the box to ensure that it’s not easily seen and draw attention away.
4. Light fixture
You can purchase a lightbulb camera. These work by using the power of the light to power the Camera while achieving very good quality recordings
5. Plants
Plants are a great and popular way to hide the Camera. There are a bunch of ways you can do this by either hiding it within the shrubbery or carving a hole within the design of the plots to be able to protrude out the Camera.
6. Trees or bushes
It is easy to attach a Camera to a tree in your garden. You made sure that the Camera is waterproof due to the possibility of rain. Also, you must ensure that you hide the wiring because it can be easily seen.
There are several ways to conceal a security camera in bushes:
- Use a camouflage-colored camera: This will blend in with the foliage and make the camera less noticeable.
- Place the camera inside a fake birdhouse or another natural object: This can help the camera blend in with the environment and make it more difficult to spot.
- Use a camera with a wide-angle lens: This will allow you to cover more area with one camera and reduce the need to place multiple cameras in the bushes.
- Place the camera in a strategic location: Position the camera in a spot where it has a clear view of the area you want to monitor but is still hidden by foliage.
7. Window
A window is a good place to hide a spy camera if you use it to see outdoors. The spy camera can be positioned in a window with a curtain or drapes hiding it through one of the cracks.
There are several ways to hide a security camera in a window:
- Use a small camera: Use a camera that is small enough to be hidden behind a window shade or curtain.
- Place the camera behind a window tint: This can help to conceal the camera while still allowing it to capture footage.
- Use a camera with a wide-angle lens: This will allow you to cover more area with one camera and reduce the need to place multiple cameras in the window.
- Use a camera with night vision capabilities: This will allow the camera to capture footage even in low light conditions, making it less noticeable.
- Use the motion detection feature: This will help to reduce the amount of footage you have to review and will also help to conserve battery power or limit storage on a wired camera.
8. Stuffed toy
This is the most traditional place to hide a spy camera. You may have seen it in movies or commonly used in homes. Usually, it’s easy to make this by simply putting a spy camera in a stuffed toy’s eye or purchasing a toy with it already inside.
9. Personal Accessories
Some spy cameras can even be hidden on one’s body. They can place a button in a handbag or even a pen in the pocket. These are tiny spy cameras that can be used to record a confrontation.
10. Doorbell
Doorbell spy cameras are becoming increasingly popular because they allow you to use the functionality of the doorbell while still being able to see the person on the other side. This is especially great for package thieves.
What if the Camera is Discovered?
Usually, when a camera is discovered, you may have problems with the person who finds it. If a babysitter finds your Camera, you may lose your trust in the babysitter. Also, you need to be aware of any legal issues, especially if you accidentally catch something explicit in nature. This can cause many legal issues, especially if you refuse to delete it. Recording laws vary greatly by state, so check your state law. (1, 2)
Hiding a Spy Camera
After you have determined the exact position the Camera needs to be placed in to get the right view, you have to look for places to hide the Camera.
Another point to consider while hiding the Camera is the stability of the place. You want to ensure that the Camera will not get knocked off by a slight breeze or will not get in the way of people. It is also better to get a battery-operated camera, so there are no loose or hanging wires.
Tips to hide the Camera
Once you have the right location for your Camera, you can use some of these tips to hide the Camera. These include:
- It is a good idea to hide the spy camera inside but be careful not to obstruct the view when placing the Camera.
- Make sure that the Camera is in a secure place and is stable so that it does not get knocked down easily.
- You can either paint the Camera or place it in a place with similar colors to camouflage the Camera to make it inconspicuous.
- It is better to look for natural hiding places, such as a roof or a shelf, where it will not be spotted easily.
References
(1) legal issues – https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/security-cameras-ethics-and-the-law/
(2) state law – https://statelaws.findlaw.com/