One of the best safety innovations for homes has been the baby monitor. The ability to keep eyes and ears directed toward an infant at all times has made it easier to be alert for times when a baby is hungry, sick, fussy, or just lonely. In between, the family can sleep or take care of other chores. When the nursery is home to twins, it is twice as important. You’ll need a good Baby Monitor with two cameras instead of just one.
With all those benefits, it’s easy to see why people choose to add a baby monitor to their home. The next question is just how to go about deciding where to put it. The right location is key to capturing every moment that your baby needs help while avoiding “false alarms” that will needlessly awaken baby and adults alike, and it takes an authority like Propertyguardmaster to know the best strategy for monitors.
Whether you’re doing single duty or double duty at diaper time, here are four tips that will help you get the best remote view of your nursery.
Remove Obstructions
Nurseries often accumulate a lot of things. Toys, diapers, lamps, photographs, and all the things that make the space cozy can also make it difficult for camera placement.
Work on arranging things in such a way that you can maintain a clear path for the video monitor. Some cameras must be installed permanently, so always be alert to the addition of new obstructions.
Noise obstructions are an issue as well. A voice-activated monitor can give a lot of false activations if it’s too near sound sources like vents, laundry machines, or windows. Keep it as near the crib as possible to improve the odds that it hears nothing but the baby.
Watch Lighting
Lighting is an issue that can change throughout the day. You may set up your monitor and have a great view at 7 am, only to find that the noonday sun creates a glare that renders the view useless.
Artificial lighting makes a difference too. Consider the influence of lamps, ceiling fixtures, and nightlights as you set up your camera. All of these fixtures can wash out your view, but they are necessary in order to keep the room adequately illuminated for a decent picture to transmit.
One solution to this problem is to choose a monitor with night vision. You may also decide to create “blinders” around the camera by positioning books or toys safely around the camera in such a way that nearby light will not interfere with your view.
Have a Stable Location
When you wake up and want to look in on your baby without disturbing his or her sleep, it does you no good to get a nice, clear look at the carpet. Yet if your camera isn’t properly secured, that might be exactly what you see. Falling cameras not only lose their view, but they also can get damaged or, worst of all, injure the baby.
Set your cameras up on a sturdy surface. Make sure you won’t bump them as you walk by, and be sure to keep the camera clear of pets who might knock it over. If you have an inside cat, you will have your work cut out for you!
Wherever you place the camera, check the monitor as soon as you leave the room to make sure the view is where it needs to be.
Think About Transmission Range
Most nurseries are adjacent to the parents’ room, or at least fairly close by. As the distance increases, though, it can be easy to lose signal. Watching the kids from a floor below may not be practical with the technology you choose.
Find a monitor with a strong signal and long range. This will give you the freedom to go wherever you need to go (within reason) without worrying that you will lose contact with your little one.
Remember that construction materials have varying rates of permeability to camera signals, just as you’ve probably seen with your wifi. Spend a little time experimenting with different locations to make sure that you know where you may have some weak spots in coverage.
Getting a baby monitor with video capability has quickly moved right to the top of the list for growing families. They allow you to get a good look at the baby’s situation without actually entering the room, giving everyone a better night’s sleep.
As you shop for a monitor, spend some time looking at reviews to make sure that you know what separates each monitor from the others on the market. Keep these buying tips in mind as you look over your options. Together, these two tools will have you ready to choose the best baby monitor for your particular needs.