Looking for outdoor security cameras….possibly without WIFI

[Emkay]

I really hope for some advice….I need to secure my mother’s home whilst she is in hospital and unlikely to return home. So far, I’ve gotten new led lamps on timer switches and a TV simulator. I’ve tried contacting the police crime prevention several times though they are never in! In the UK, after I had break-ins and a few car thefts, Police advised several measures to cause maximum uncertainty for thieves. Unfortunately, it’s very well known in the neighbourhood that my mother lives alone and is now in hospital.

I’m thinking of various outdoor cameras. I’m in Google overload and now completely confused! Vodafone confirmed that my mother does have high speed internet cable access. Seemingly a massive oversell from them as she doesn’t use the internet. They instantly halved her monthly payment without contract obligation. I’m not sure wifi cameras would be suitable as they would be far from the router….old build house, super thick walls etc. Not sure that repeaters would help much. Is it correct then that only cameras with a SIM card would be suitable? Ie, I can control with an app on my mobile?

Can anyone give a techno dummy some advice on what’s best to do? Ideally, very simple, wireless, battery and not something that needs an Alexa Show too. I think definitely 1-2 real cameras and maybe various dummy cameras.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Krieg]

With or without access to electrical outlets?

Battery based you are limited to Blink cameras sold by Amazon. You do not need to pay for their hosting service, you just put an SD card in the hub. The cameras will be activated with movement and their batteries last a couple of years.

If you have access to electricity then you have plenty to choose. I particularly like the ones from Aqara (belongs to Xiaomi, known for affordable decent quality items) because then you can have as well windows and door sensors using the same hub, an in case of intrusion their hub has a siren that makes some noise to scare the intruder.

Both camera systems are WiFi based. And you can control them from your phone. They have decent range.

[Eric7]

We have 3 Reolink cameras which all run off their own tiny solar panel which you mount next to it.

They are WiFi but the range seems decent enough. I get an email (with photo) or a notification if they register anything. The app is nice and responsive and can replay videos saved on the inserted micro-SD card.
Cheap as chips... about €60-70 each I think I paid.

I've just looked and the ones I got are no longer available.
The cheapest new one is this:
https://www.amazon.de/Reolink-Solar-%C3 ... o_dp&th=1

Sorry to hear about your mum.

[Fraufruit]

Does she have so many valuable items in her house or could you just pack up her jewelry, etc. and take it to yours?

Simple motion activated security lights are a good deterrent.

Sorry to hear that you think her neighbors might be criminal minded. How long has her place been empty now?

[PandaMunich]

In the UK, after I had break-ins and a few car thefts,

And that is the pertinent point:
in the UK.

You're in Germany.
I've accidentally left a ground floor window open for 14 days while on holiday.
Except for that room being well-aired, nothing happened.

You can remove any valuables like jewellery and cash if you like.
But I would not bother doing more, you're just wasting your money.

[Krieg]

In the UK, after I had break-ins and a few car thefts,

And that is the pertinent point:
in the UK.

You're in Germany.
I've accidentally left a ground floor window open for 14 days while on holiday.
Except for that room being well-aired, nothing happened.

You can remove any valuables like jewellery and cash if you like.
But I would not bother doing more, you're just wasting your money.

It depends where in Germany you are, i.e. Bavaria is pretty safe, but some other areas in Germany have the highest burglary rates in Europe:

https://landgeist.com/2024/08/03/burglary-in-europe/

[Fraufruit]

"Landgeist maps - Capturing the zeitgeist of the world through maps."

Looked it up. Not known for accuracy.

[HEM]

It depends where in Germany you are, i.e. Bavaria is pretty safe, but some other areas in Germany have the highest burglary rates in Europe:

https://landgeist.com/2024/08/03/burglary-in-europe/

Yep - our local newspaper regularly (like almost daily) reports break-ins & attempted break-ins in our area (Kreis Pinneberg).
On problem is the excellent connections to Hamburg - either the S-Bahn or the A23 Autobahn.

[Fraufruit]

"So far, I’ve gotten new led lamps on timer switches and a TV simulator."

Probably enough but do whatever makes you comfortable.

You have a lot on your plate. Take it easy on yoursef.

Hugs.

[Emkay]

In the UK, after I had break-ins and a few car thefts,

And that is the pertinent point:
in the UK.

You're in Germany.
I've accidentally left a ground floor window open for 14 days while on holiday.
Except for that room being well-aired, nothing happened.

You can remove any valuables like jewellery and cash if you like.
But I would not bother doing more, you're just wasting your money.

It depends where in Germany you are, i.e. Bavaria is pretty safe, but some other areas in Germany have the highest burglary rates in Europe:

https://landgeist.com/2024/08/03/burglary-in-europe/

It’s not a safe area, hence my concern. Even my great great grandparents who built the house, installed security measures that are no longer sufficient. I’m certainly overthinking at the moment as a distraction from emotional matters.

No, of course neighbours aren’t all criminals. Yet, a few weeks before my mother’s hospitalisation, a neighbour broke into her outbuildings/Nebengebäude and ransacked everything in a frenzy. The police didn’t do anything as the person responsible had serious mental health issues. She had to pay for all repairs.

I’ll try to find a few different security measures.

[bethannbitt]

It depends where in Germany you are, i.e. Bavaria is pretty safe, but some other areas in Germany have the highest burglary rates in Europe:

https://landgeist.com/2024/08/03/burglary-in-europe/

Yep - our local newspaper regularly (like almost daily) reports break-ins & attempted break-ins in our area (Kreis Pinneberg).
On problem is the excellent connections to Hamburg - either the S-Bahn or the A23 Autobahn.

I would agree that it’s all about the particular bubble that one lives in.

[bethannbitt]

I’m genuinely sorry that you are forced to deal with this matter on top of everything else on your platter at the moment.

[Fraufruit]

At least the police know about the neighborhood nutter.

I still recommend that you take anything of value or that you may want later out of the house.