Takeaway: Summer’s here–and so is hurricane season. Learn how a cellular security camera can help you protect your beach house before, during, and after severe storms.
Your beach house is more than just a piece of very valuable real estate–it’s a place for recreation, relaxation, and making memories with friends and family. Hurricanes threaten all of that.
Whether your beach house is your full-time residence or a retreat that gets used a few times a summer, severe storms can threaten it. By using a cellular security camera, you can take steps so that when you are away you can monitor your beach home for damage–providing you peace of mind or letting you coordinate an effective response if a storm hits.
Hurricanes Are Getting Stronger–and More Frequent
You don’t have to have sand between your toes to know that hurricanes are becoming stronger and more common. Above-average hurricane activity is now a fact of life in the Atlantic, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to more category 4 and 5 hurricanes, stronger wind speeds, greater rainfall and flooding, and storms that last longer.
Coastal properties are highly vulnerable to these conditions–not just storm surges and flooding, but also wind damage, debris, and post-storm looting. This comes at a time of rapidly appreciating property values, meaning even modest beach homes can command millions of dollars.
How a Cellular Security Camera Helps Protect Your Beach Home
The DEFEND Camera is a wireless security camera that uses cellular signals to send motion-activated photos and videos to your phone or desktop. New upgrades add the ability to get live-view imagery. Other accessories include long-lasting rechargeable batteries and solar power, as well as numerous mounting options.
These qualities make the DEFEND Camera perfect for defending seasonal properties, as well as those that may not have Wi-Fi coverage that extends outside the home’s walls. Here’s how DEFEND plays a key role in hurricane prep and recovery:
- Real-time damage monitoring: After the storm passes, the biggest challenge is often not knowing what happened. With power out and roads closed, you may have to wait days to access your property. With the DEFEND Camera, you can view live footage remotely, assess damage to your property, roof, windows, and other elements, and determine if you need to visit the site immediately, file an insurance claim, or buy materials like tarps and plywood.
- Works when nothing else does: Power outages are a fact of life in hurricanes, and without power you’ve also lost Wi-Fi. Unlike most security cameras, DEFEND operates over a 4G cellular network–just like your phone–meaning it will send imagery to you even when the power’s out. And with long-lasting batteries and solar power options, you can continue to get imagery even if outages persist.
- Motion-activated alerts: With motion activation capabilities, your camera can send you push notifications of movement caused by debris or tree limbs. You can also get alerts of potential intruders, and even of wildlife movement–a common occurrence after storms when normal habitats are disrupted.
Bonus Use: Off-Season Monitoring
Your camera can work for you year-round, not just when a storm strikes. The DEFEND Camera can help you:
- Deter vandalism in the off-season or when the house is unoccupied
- Keep an eye on maintenance work, deliveries, or storm clean-up
- Watch wildlife and even scenic views during the off-season
Camera Placement for Beach House Protection
One or more cameras at your beach house can help provide you with smart monitoring before, during, and after storms, as well as any time you are not there. Here are some suggestions for where to place your cameras:
- Front entrance: See who is coming or going
- Rear entrance/patio/beach access: Back doors are a common entry spot for looters
- Driveway or carport: Check on vehicles, boats, or other stored items, and gauge water levels and debris
- Elevated corner view: Get a broad overview of the entire home, including the roof
- Facing the water: Monitor storm surge, beach erosion, and rising tides
- Interior: Track potential leaks, flooding, or other storm damage
Learn More About DEFEND
Learn more about DEFEND Cameras, how they can protect your properties and possessions, and what accessories can enhance your beach home security.