About 18 months ago, we invested in Blink cameras for home security. They are hooked up through our wi-fi so that we can monitor what's going on outside our home 24/7 through an app. They were easy to set up and inexpensive, but have their limitations and annoyances. For instance, while it's simple to turn them on and off, none of us seem to remember this fact when we go outside to shovel the sidewalk, blow leaves, or merely water some flowers. Then we go back inside to find 27 notifications and videos of ourselves that need to be deleted one by one. Or, we remember to disable it, then forget to turn it back on for a few days.
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| Then there was the time a bird decided to build its nest right under the camera. After an annoying few days of new construction notifications every time we knocked a nest down, my husband stuffed a bunch of plastic bags along the gutter, which finally caused the bird to scram. |
Similar issues occur during inclement weather, when you get constant footage of snow flurries or leaves blowing in the wind. We've also had issues with the camera that points towards our back patio door. If the door is open, the camera records every movement in the kitchen.
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| Mostly, Blink is helpful for package deliveries. Nobody seems to ring the doorbell anymore, so we've had packages sit outside in the rain and snow. We've been ordering all our wine online for about 5 years. Initially, like the box shows, they would not deliver it unless an adult was home to sign. But even before Covid, UPS began leaving the box if I wasn't home. Irritated me, especially if it was 90 degrees outside. Now I don't have to worry that my wine is cooking or freezing. And my Amazon packages are safe from thieves. |
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| Another benefit to the camera is when solicitors ignore my homemade sign. This is located at the bottom of my door and I'm certain it angers those who make the long walk up our steep driveway. Sorry Charlie! I've still had a few who knock, but with Blink, I don't even have to open my door because of the speaker system that enables me to talk to the offenders through my cell phone while watching the action live: "May I help you?" Surprisingly, they haven’t jumped. I'm guessing these cameras are commonplace to solicitors. |
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| Unfortunately, the camera lens is only so wide. While I can view what's coming down my front walk and what's headed up to my garage, I can't see the end of my driveway near this lightpost. Some chucklehead decided to adhere this sticker a few weeks ago. It's too high up for it to have been a kid under the age of 12. WHY? We've had a number of times where we've awoken to footage of deer walking down our front walk or chipmunks on the deck, but here was some real excitement from January: |
Can anyone tell what that is?
That's such a plus about the package deliveries because thievery is a HUGE thing here in our city when it comes to UPS leaving deliveries outside apartment buildings and homes. Luckily for me, I live in building with a 24/7 doorman, who collects all UPS packages and then sends us an email notification that we have a package waiting in the mailroom.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I LOVE your homemade sign! It's brilliant because you covered every possible annoying soliciting issue. WELL done!
"WHY?" is right. Why the hell would someone attach a sticker to a lightpost?!?!
Is that a fox captured on the video?
Have a faaaabulous week, my friend! X
P.S. And I loved your use of "scram" because I haven't heard word used in such a long time. GREAT word!
I’m glad your apartment has a system set up for packages. My son had an issue with his first apartment, because it had an outdoor entrance. He actually thought it was the neighbors stealing packages and not some random person. Lol, I had to have No Religion on my sign because we get tons of Jehovah Witnesses knocking because there’s a Kingdom Hall nearby. Good eye, Ron! Yes, I believe it’s my foxy friend. Isn’t scram a great word? Enjoy the snowstorm barreling down!
DeleteMy friend has one of those which she loves. The only problem is she has her hearing aides on the phone too - and has to keep the phone on and while at meetings the phone will ring!
ReplyDeleteI can’t even wrap my head around that! Sounds complicated!
DeleteHey, Bijoux, that device does sound pretty cool overall, but I can see where those various issues can become a real pain.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's worth the aggravation if you can cast out peddlers and porch pirates (Avast, ye, matey!) I get a little concerned about getting ripped off, especially during the holidays.
The idiot who stuck that sticker needs to get a life. And is that critter on the video a fox? I couldn't honestly tell.
Take care!
It definitely has its pros and cons, but we’ve found it helpful, overall. And yes, it’s a fox!
Deleteyes, a fox. One morning when I was living in Georgia, we work to a fox looking through the bedroom door to the patio. He didn't seem to be bothered by us moving around.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen a fox about half a dozen times in the past 30 years in this area. They are always smaller than I expect, but their color is striking and stands out in the snow.
DeleteIs it a fox? How cool is that?! It's funny b/c we invested in the Blink camera system over the Summer. A few days ago my husband tells me how they made some cameras in the Blink system specific for the outside. I wonder what the perk is? I didn't look b/c I know I'd get annoyed. The night vision is pretty good! The sticker had me cracking up!! You should replace it with a note saying "WHY?!".
ReplyDeleteYes! Foxes are so cool, aren’t they? I remember your post about Blink. Yes, the night vision is surprisingly good. The sticker was just weird. I have no clue what the characters were on it; maybe anime? If it was Halloween, I wouldn’t be surprised, but middle of January when kids aren’t even out and about? Just bizarre.
DeleteWe have a Ring doorbell and camera in the back. It does come in handy for deliveries and gives a feeling of security. We can do a delete all, so multiple videos is not too much of a pain. Also it seems the ring is activated on heat sensing not motion so leaves and snow flakes do not activate it. We had to remove our storm door (which basically is worthless anyway as the door is insulated) because it would not detect motion. Yeah, I figured a fox.
ReplyDeleteIt’s definitely nice to know when a delivery is made. Also to see if they throw it! I wish ours had a multiple video delete mode. It sounds like Ring is probably a better system, but I’m just glad we’ve got one that works.
DeleteLooks like the fantastic Mr. Fox. Or maybe it is equally fantastic Mrs. Fox. We really need to invest in a home security system before I kick myself for not doing it sooner. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn’t a big investment and I like that I can monitor from my phone when I’m away.
DeleteI was going to guess a fox, too. The busy tail is a dead giveaway. I've seen a few in our neighborhood since moving in, and they always enthrall me. I'd kinda like one for a pet, but I'm guessing Sydney would object to that.
ReplyDeleteIt was cool that he was up on the deck. I saw maybe the same one last winter walking in the snow right by the window I usually sit near. They are gorgeous creatures.
DeleteYour security system sounds like a mixture of pros and cons. Good to know that you have a parcel outside ready to take in. We've never had a security system anywhere we lived, we just rely on locking up thoroughly when we go out. In 73 years (including my parents' homes) I've never been burgled!
ReplyDeleteI like the No Soliciting sign. Covers all possibilities!
Yes, I wasn’t concerned with burglary as much as not knowing when my packages were being delivered. A few years ago, a florist left condolence flowers outside in the freezing snow. It’s easy to miss things when you don’t go in and out your front door every day.
DeleteYep, that's a fox for sure. We have a fox or two that scope out the chicken run every night for a way in every Spring though mid summer. Then come mid summer it comes into the field behind us and yells at us once or twice a week to make sure we know we stole a chicken dinner from it.
ReplyDeleteThey sound tenacious. We have a rabbit that might be living under our deck, so maybe he smelled a late night snack.
DeleteI thought it looked like a possum to me but after reading the other comments I took another look and yes! Cute little fox! We have three Blink cameras on our house. One in the front ,one in the back and one of the driveway. The one in the front sticks out and birds like to perch on it which sets it off. Plus branches waving in the wind, leaves blowing around. We've seen bee's flying around them and spiders crawling on them (now that's creepy-they look like giant spiders taking over the world!) If nothing else they are amusing!
ReplyDeleteLol, I forgot, but yes, we do see bees and other insects sometimes. It is interesting to see nature up close! I saw a possum here one night when we first moved in. His eyes glowed and freaked me out. Have not seen him since!
DeleteWe have thought of getting cameras set up in our house in AZ so we can see what's going on when we are here in the UK. I'm not sure it wouldn't just creep me out though.
ReplyDeleteParcels aren't left out for that long in our house. We all check out tracking and see when a parcel has been delivered and rush to the front door. :D
I thought it looked like a badger to start with!
I tend to check tracking and then forget about it. Amazon only recently started notifying us when a package has been delivered and only if it’s their delivery truck. No such luck with UPS or FedEx. I can see where you’d think a badger. AZ sounds really good right now!
DeleteAt our GA place we installed the Nest cameras. We do love them, but again, you do get a bazillion notifications; snow, bees, the flag moved again, etc. I never delete them though....must work differently than your system. Dang it with the sticker ninja and I think that is a Foxy Fox. Right?
ReplyDeleteWell, the notifications on my phone would be similar to having a full inbox in my email, which I don’t like, so maybe it’s just me needing to delete? Yes! It’s a fox.
DeleteI've been thinking of getting some kind of camera for my front and back window.
ReplyDeleteThat would probably be a good idea, Mary. We thought Blink was cost-effective for our situation.
DeleteYour homemade sign reminded me of one that friends also have posted, and theirs is a bit more direct and handwritten too. They also have a doorbell camera, perhaps a ring, and overall said they feel "safer." Like Ron, we live in an apartment building where deliveries are supposed to be made to a secure package room. Residents have access to it via a fob that unlocks the door. Unfortunately, some of the delivery drivers are too lazy to put the packages inside the room so sometimes they are on the floor by the door. That said, there hasn't been an outcry of packages being stolen or gone missing, thankfully. And, yes that is an idiot who posted a sticked on the lamp post light!
ReplyDeleteThat’s irritating that the delivery person just puts packages on the floor by the door! What the heck?
DeleteI know foxes are horrible for those who have small pets and livestock, but I do get excited every time I see one. I have a doxie though, so I wouldn't want one lurking around my yard since he'd be easy prey.
ReplyDeleteHow stupid to just randomly stick a sticker on a light post. Just, why!?
Overall, the camera system sounds pretty handy. We have Ring and haven't had many issues with it.
Most people seem to like Ring. But how did I not know you have a doxie??? Best dog ever ❤️ Foxes are cool, though.
DeleteTwo boxers and a doxie. People tend to be scared of my boxers, but they just want all the cuddles. The doxie is a fricken demon. Tries to bite me damn near every day after asking me in his own doggy way to pick him up and put him on my daughter's bed. He's taken a few good chunks out of my hands, but he's cute and can be loving on his own terms, so he gets a pass on his demonic ways.
DeleteYikes! I know doxies have a reputation, but dang are they cute!
DeleteWas it a raccoon or a cat? We've been toying with the idea of getting some kind of camera system, but haven't done anything yet. We have a sign similar to your on our front door. Quite a few people ignored it leading up to the election. The joys of living in a swing state. I'm honestly extremely rude to anyone who knocks now that we have the sign. Ours is right in the middle of the door, so you can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a red fox! Isn’t that cool? Yeah, I’ve had a few ignore my sign; I’m not nice about it, either. They usually claim they didn’t see it. I didn’t want something big and ugly on my door.
DeleteIt never occurred to me that it might be a fox. That is neat. I wasn't crazy about the idea of the sign, but the number of people coming to the door was getting to be ridiculous. With working from home and our dog barking his head off whenever someone comes to the door, it was becoming very disruptive.
DeleteYes, I know how annoying that can be!
DeleteThe sticker is just why indeed. Sure looks like a fox to me. They are great to see but they sure can take out small animals. That would be annoying having it go off every time you move about outdoors when you forget, but meh, at least you can have fun getting rid of the door to door annoyances with it lol
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny to turn on the live cam and see what they’re doing out there!
DeleteWas that a fox? I have been thinking about getting cameras like this. sounds like I would get a lot of video on nothing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a fox. The video only records when there’s movement, but yes, a lot of times it’s blowing snow or birds.
DeleteIs that a fox? I can't tell the size but it's face looks fox-like.
ReplyDeleteI have a sign on my door that says I'm working from home doing telemedicine and can't come to the door during the weekdays. No one bothers me any more.
Yes! It’s a fox. I’ve seen them over the years, always in winter. Good idea with the sign!
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