> At a Glance
> – 34% of burglars walk through the front door, making obvious spots the priority
> – Privacy zones can block a neighbor’s yard, but lawsuits have started over less
> – Heat sources cut battery life and fog lenses faster than you think
> – Why it matters: A mis-aimed cam is wasted money-right placement beats 4K specs every time
Even the smartest AI camera is blind if it faces a brick wall or bakes above a dryer vent. Skip these seven dud locations and you’ll actually get the protection you paid for.
1. Anywhere With an Expectation of Privacy
Bathrooms, bedrooms, and guest rooms can land you in legal trouble. If you must monitor a shared bedroom in a rental, keep the device in plain sight and tell every occupant.
Outside, public sidewalks are fair game; a neighbor’s windows or backyard are not.
2. Angled Toward the Neighbor’s Property
Courts have ruled that backyards and windows count as private space. Use built-in privacy zones to black out their side of the fence-or better yet, re-angle the lens.
3. Hidden Alleys While Ignoring the Front Door
ADT stats show 34% break in through the front door and 22% use a first-floor window. Cover these high-traffic entries first; hidden side passages can wait until you have extra cameras.
- Front door visibility deters opportunists
- Windows facing the street are second-priority
- Supplement with motion-spotlight bundles for dark corners
4. Behind Trees, Doors, or Playful Pets
Branches heavy with spring leaves and interior doors that swing open will nudge a lens off target. Mount high enough that cats, dogs, or toddlers can’t bump the body.
| Obstruction | Result |
|---|---|
| Tree growth | Seasonal blind spots |
| Interior door | Framed view only |
| Pet contact | Daily re-alignment |
5. Through a Window
Glare, dust, and limited sightlines turn indoor cams into expensive paperweights once the sun shifts. Outdoor-rated models start cheaper than you think.
6. With the Sky in Half the Frame
Wide-angle domes that catch rooftops and clouds get washed out at noon and bake the sensor year-round. Tilt the view below the roofline and park the cam in partial shade.
7. Above Vents, Fireplaces, or Dryers
Heat blasts fog lenses, cook batteries, and melt adhesive mounts. Give dryers, HVAC exhausts, and fire pits a wide berth.
Key Takeaways
- Aim at front doors and first-floor windows first; stats prove they’re the real entries
- Use privacy masks instead of pointing at neighbor windows
- Mount out of toddler-pet range and clear of tree limbs
- Keep heat sources at arm’s length to save batteries and lenses
Drill with these no-go zones in mind and your next clip will show the burglar’s face-not your cat’s tail or a sunrise glare.
