Hidden Cameras, Nanny Cams, Spy and Surveillance Equipment

Like many parents, you may be considering a hidden or covert camera to record the interaction and behavior of your babysitter and your children while you’re away. As you can see these so-called nanny cams or spy cams can be hidden in a variety of household objects and record activity without even a glimmer of suspicion on the part of your child care provider.

But is it legal? Are you risking criminal charges or a civil lawsuit by taping your sitter? The answer is yes, your nanny cam in most instances is perfectly legal. There are a few details which should be brought to your attention and discussed with an attorney licensed in your state if you have additional questions.

Visible video cameras (not hidden in any way) are generally not illegal if they are in a non-private place like the kitchen or living areas of your home. If the nanny cam records audio as well as video, you must comply with federal and state wiretapping and eavesdropping laws. You will need consent of one or all parties to any recorded conversation, depending on your jurisdiction. Most states will allow you, the parent, to consent to the recording on behalf of your minor child. See the Audio Recording Laws article on this site for more information about the necessary consent to an audio recording.

Hidden cameras (often referred to in the media as “nanny cams” or “spy cams”) are still usually okay from a legal point of view, unless the babysitter has a reasonable expectation of privacy. There is a federal law which makes it a crime to secretly capture photo or video images of people in places and situations in which they have an expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, hotel rooms and tanning salons. Most states now have similar laws. So, you definitely can’t record the nanny in the bathroom and probably not in her bedroom if she lives in with your family.

Most experts agree that you shouldn’t wait until you suspect some sort of abuse or neglect of your child before getting a nanny cam. If you install one before the nanny is hired and inform her that she may be monitored, your nanny cam may act as a deterrent to misconduct or abuse – instead of an investigative tool. In fact, many nannies have no problem with nanny cam monitoring – as long as they know about it or at least about the possibility that it is there. They often are offended however by secret, hidden cameras.

So, at the end of the day, you will need to balance the legal and ethical issues related to nanny cam recording. Reasonable video surveillance, especially if done without sound, is legal in every state as long as you stay out of the bathroom and the bedroom. Now you’ve just got to decide whether or not to disclose the existence and/or location of the camera to the babysitter before you switch it on…

Check out our new Self Contained Nanny Cams that record onto an SD Card or our cute Wireless Teddy Bear Nanny Cam.

Joe called to say that some punks are ripping him off. They are walking right into his barn and stealing his hard earned possessions. Joe is a Vietnam Vet who fought for our country, a hero. He lives on a pension and has just enough money to live on and pay his bills. He cannot afford to have his belongings stolen by thieves.

Instead of feeling sorry for himself Joe decided that he was going to do something about the situation… set up a home video surveillance system to catch them. He found a couple of old cameras that he had in the garage and the VCR from his living room. He did a little research on the internet and discovered that a Quad would do just the trick for him.

So, Joe purchased a Color Quad. A quad is an accessory to your video surveillance system that splits a video monitor into 4 screens. Without a quad you would only be able view one camera at a time. A quad is only needed when you are using more than one camera, using a VCR or VISEC to record or when you are only monitoring and not recording at all

Congratulations to Joe, my hero for showing so much strength of will and spirit. I hope that you catch these punks, get some justice and return to living in the peace and harmony that you deserve.

You have assets and people to protect. You want to ensure you have another set of eyes watching when you can’t be watching them yourself. Whether it’s for business, school, daycare or home use, a video surveillance system can give you peace of mind.

Today’s video surveillance systems are not complicated to set up. With a little research, you can find a quality supplier, get it delivered and have it going in no time. You only have to decide what kind of system best suits your needs. You can choose a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) system or a VCR system that uses VHS tapes.

A DVR system eliminates the need for handling a slew of VHS tapes, as all data records onto a hard drive, CD or DVD. It really is quite simple to set up a quality functioning video surveillance system. Position your cameras strategically around the premises you want to monitor. Then hook up those cameras to a recording device. Set that recording device to download data onto a storage medium. That’s it. That’s why you can have a system ready to go, quickly, to protect yourself.

Today’s systems are also less cumbersome in size due to advances in technology. Compact and self-contained systems do not take up a lot of room in your home or workplace. In addition, with so many models available on the marketplace, you will not find it too difficult to find one that fits your security budget.

What are the benefits of a video surveillance system? First, it offers protection from lawsuits when accused of improprieties or negligence you are not guilty of in any way. When accusations come and you have recorded visual evidence to prove your innocence, you have just eliminated a lot of headache in your life. If you have a business and someone falsely claims he or she slipped and fell on your premises, you can refute their claim with visual evidence.

If you are experiencing inventory loss due to theft, a hidden camera surveillance system can help you find the culprit or culprits. The right cameras in the right places can aid your detection efforts greatly. These business-security surveillance systems are useful when you need to find out if employees are stealing. They are easily set up in stock rooms and receiving areas. A hidden camera surveillance system is great for the nooks and crannies of your business where covert actions may take place.

When choosing a video surveillance system, consider what areas you want to monitor and the field of coverage you need in each area. This will help you determine type and number of cameras you require. Consider whether you want black and white or color images. Consider the space you have to house any type of unit you purchase.

Consider whether you want a visible or hidden system. Also, consider whether you want a permanent system embedded into your building infrastructure, such as ceilings and walls. You may want a portable system instead. A portable DVR system uses a wireless or professional camera. You can use the portable camera anywhere. You then send a wireless signal to your DVR recording equipment. It’s a simple and easy way to do surveillance.

Of increasing popularity today are systems whereby you monitor activity over the Internet. You can install one of these systems on your PC and record up to four wired or wireless cameras. These surveillance software systems are great for day cares, animal boarding facilities, schools and homes. They are also excellent for businesses that want to monitor branch locations from a head office central location.

Remember that quality merchants of video surveillance systems offer the latest in wired or wireless versions. If your budget allows, state-of-the-art is the way to go to protect your assets. Also, look for a supplier who offers systems complete with cameras, cables and all necessary components and accessories. Make sure they also supply detailed instructions for installation. While today’s systems are not difficult to install, you still want a reference document to refer to as a back up.

Consider a video surveillance system for protection from lawsuits and theft. Let a home, school or business system provide that extra level of security you need. Enjoy the freedom from worry and costly expenses a video surveillance system can afford you.

Check out all our hidden camera and video surveillance systems at A1-HiddenCamera.com.

My name is Sharon Macdonald. I am a retired teacher and high-tech security specialist. Check out my security products designed to protect you, your family and business. Post a message, or let me know why you need audio of video surveillance. I would love to hear from you!