High-resolution MOBOTIX D14 IP video system deters theft with just one camera

MOBOTIX D14 uses two lenses to give an extensive overview

Last year, Germany saw a sharp rise in the number of domestic burglaries with theft of property. According to the latest crime figures made available by the police, there were 121,347 domestic burglaries in 2010, up by 7,547 in 2009. Burglars strike particularly in the vacation period when many homes are unoccupied. The percentage of cases solved is just 15.9 percent. A video surveillance system can help to provide protection.  

Burglars do not just focus on villas or isolated houses either: their targets often include ordinary houses, townhouses, or apartments in apartment blocks. A complete, high-resolution IP video system, such as the MOBOTIX D14 system, protects all kinds of real estate against thieves - using just one camera. The camera is easy to install and - by day or by night - delivers crystal-clear images that can help to identify any intruders. The D14 uses two lenses to provide an extensive overview. If the camera is mounted on the corner of a house for example, one lens can monitor the entrance door while the second lens monitors the side of the house as a whole. At the same time, the system can trigger an alarm if unauthorized persons try to gain entry to the house or apartment. The image data can be viewed live by means of video streaming, regardless of where you are in the world.

"Pickpockets have an easy job during the summer months. Often, it is not that difficult to figure out whether a house or apartment is occupied or unoccupied at any particular time," according to Uwe Barthelmes, international executive sales director at MOBOTIX. "A video surveillance system that can be installed at relatively low cost provides more security. An IP video camera can be accessed from anywhere in the world over the internet using a computer, iPad, or a smartphone such as the iPhone. Preconfigured action profiles can be defined for particular events in order to trigger a specified response, for example a direct call to the police or dispatch of an email including an image." 

More tips to provide additional security during the vacation period:

Lock doors and windows

After leaving the house or apartment, always fully lock the entrance door; do not simply close the door behind you. Windows must also be locked.

Inform neighbours

You should tell your neighbours how long you will be away - also how and where they can contact you. Alarm systems, together with lighting operated by timer switches, provide additional security. You should avoid visits from tradesmen or similar arrangements during your absence, or come to an agreement with your neighbours.   

Switch off answering machines

Burglars make test calls to check whether anyone is at home. If they repeatedly reach an answering machine, this indicates that the occupiers are away. It is therefore best to switch off any answering machine before leaving on vacation. Any statements to the effect that the occupiers are absent must be avoided at all costs in recorded answering machine messages or in automatic reply functions on email accounts.

Avoid overflowing mailboxes

Mountains of mail and newspapers are a sure sign that the homeowner is away. Helpful neighbours can be enlisted to empty the mailbox regularly. Alternatively, mail can be held back and stored by the postal service, and delivery of daily newspapers can be temporarily suspended. However, under no circumstances should you leave a message for the mailman on the mailbox.  

Use timer switches

You can create the impression that the house is occupied by using timer switches - with a variety of on and off times if at all possible - to operate roller shutters, lighting, or even water the garden.  

Avoid visible luggage tags

When you leave on vacation, do not use luggage tags that can be easily read by others. At airports and rail stations, visible luggage tags easily and quickly provide intruders with details of possible targets for their next worthwhile burglary.