Much as we would like to be there personally for our children, circumstances don’t always allow for it.  There are chores that need to be performed, tasks that need to be completed, a job that needs to be finished and clients that need our attention.  Thank goodness for the nanny cam, a hidden camera that records onto itself.  It’s an independent security device that watches over the kids even when parents are not around.

Nanny cams and your child’s security
Nanny cams are so-called because they were primarily used to monitor the activities of a nanny with their wards.  They were also used to take the place of a parent or guardian to watch over the children from a remote location.  A nanny cam, for example, may be used to monitor the kids playing in the backyard while the parent is in the kitchen preparing meals.  It may also be used to watch over kids young enough to be left at home while the parent is at work.

A hidden self-recording security tool
The nanny cam is generally a hidden device – usually a tiny camera that monitors and records onto itself from a remote location.  It often comes with a recording device, usually a DVR that automatically records activities to be viewed later.

Nanny cams come with the advantage of being automatic and independent of human intervention.  Some may be set up to record activities within a specific time period or to automatically record only when motion is detected.  The images are then stored in a digital storage device, usually a disc or an SD card.

Choosing the right nanny cam
There are several features you need to consider in a hidden camera that records onto itself like the nanny cam.  Here are some of them:

Resolution – this refers to the ability of the camera to record images of high quality.  Low quality images look grainy and blurred and will not be of much help in case there is a need to identify the persons or objects in the video.  Higher resolution nanny cams can assure you of excellent imaging.

Memory – this refers to the capacity of the nanny cam to store a large number of images, particularly video.  A robust memory capacity is a good feature to look for.  Depending on your needs, consider getting a self-recording nanny cam that has at least 4 Gb or even 8 Gb or higher.

A higher memory capacity will give you many hours of recording time, which can be an advantage if you will be away from the child for at least 8 hours a day or if you will be leaving your child in someone else’s care for several days.

Connectivity – the nanny cam you purchase should be compatible with what systems you already have.  Depending on its functions, a hidden nanny cam may be connected to a TV, a computer or even a mobile phone.  Connection may either be wired or remote, which allows you to view images from a distant location.  The playback function is also important so you can view images immediately.

Leaving your child home alone, no matter how long, doesn’t have to end in disaster of Macaulay Culkin proportions. Use the tips below to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of your child while he’s home alone.

Know Your Child
This is probably the best thing you can do and the best way to determine the rightness of leaving your child home alone. Consider his age. Can he be mature enough to understand the need for following your rules? Consider his personality. Precocious is nice and all, but it can lead to all sorts of trouble.

Establish Rules
Your kid is less likely to disobey your house rules if you’ve enforced them early on and they know what to expect when they do end up disobeying them. The rules must be clear and valid; they will make it easier for your kid to understand, appreciate, and obey them.

Punishments for disobeying these rules must be reasonable, constructive, and dealt consistently. If not, they might only provoke rebelliousness in your kids.

Be sure that your house rules cover everything that could put your child in danger while he’s staying home alone. Review and evaluate regularly.

Practice Makes Perfect
If leaving your kid alone at home is a new experience for you and your kid then you better start practicing immediately. Such practices are essential especially when an emergency occurs. You want your kid to be prepared for any eventuality and capable of saving himself.

For your practice sessions, play make-believe with your kid then guide him step by step in determining the appropriate responses for the different emergencies he could encounter. Teach him how to call 911 but don’t stop there. Let him know that during those times, he could be suffering from panic and anxiety but stress to him the importance of giving the right details.

Keeping Contact
Leaving your child home alone doesn’t require you to severe contact with him completely. You can give your child the responsibility of having his own temporary mobile phone. Teach him how to send you SMS and make calls. Stress the importance of contacting you regularly so that you’ll be constantly updated of his status.

Avoid Too Much Responsibility
Your kid can only be responsible so much. Be reasonable with your expectations. It’s still best to ask help from a neighbor or friend and have him check your child once in a while. Install a security system to provide additional protection for your child.

wireless home security system image

image credit to greyarea