Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Hidden Nanny Cam
9th Apr 2021
If you're returning to work or leaving for an evening out, you will likely be hiring a babysitter. It can be nerve-wracking leaving your children in the care of a stranger. Being slightly cautious is okay and a normal feeling for a parent to feel when entrusting the livelihood of their child with someone else.
Many parents explore buying a hidden nanny cam so they are able to observe their nanny or babysitter while they care for their children. It gives many parents peace of mind being able to watch what happens in their home.
If you're thinking about getting a nanny security camera but are still on the fence, don't worry. We have everything you need to know about where to buy a nanny cam, the best hidden nanny cameras, and all the other details you'll want before making a purchase.
What's a Hidden Nanny Cam?
Nanny security cameras are surveillance equipment that is used to record and watch the activities occurring in a person's home. The goal of the surveillance is to monitor the safety of children, and sometimes the elderly, while being away. They've sometimes been used to catch people in acts of infidelity or criminal behavior.
The object of nanny cameras isn't to specifically watch your nanny. Rather, the goal is to watch your family and children while they're at home, making sure they're safe and happy. You're able to easily watch what they're doing in real-time.
Are Nanny Cameras Legal?
In all 50 states, it's legal to make a video recording of the interior of your home. You don't need to let your nanny or babysitter know they're being recorded if you're using the footage to prevent theft and/or monitor the safety of your child.
If you use the footage for purposes like blackmail, voyeurism, or disclosing someone else's private information, it then becomes illegal. Each state is also different with its laws, as audio and video recordings are looked at differently.
In the following states, it's illegal to audio record someone without their permission:
- California
- Washington
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- Oregon
- Florida
- New Hampshire
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Illinois
- Montana
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
If you live in one of those states, you will need to let your babysitter or nanny know that you have surveillance equipment that records audio.
You are also unable to put a nanny security camera in a room where someone expects to have privacy, like a bathroom. If your nanny lives with you, don't put the camera in their living area or bedroom.
Should I Let My Nanny Know?
Letting your caregiver know that there are surveillance devices in your home is your decision. Most babysitters or nannies know that there may be nanny spy cameras installed in a home. The more professional nannies could put on their resume that they are aware of this practice and that they are okay with it, making them more likely to get hired.
You can decide to leave the cameras up when you hire your nanny and remove them after they have earned your trust. On the other side of the coin, if you are recording your nanny without their consent and they find out, you could potentially lose their trust. If you have a good relationship with your nanny, you might lose someone who is an asset in your household.
At the end of the day, it's all about your comfort level and the safety of your household. If you sense something is not right with your nanny or babysitter, you may decide to install cameras to monitor the situation. Once you determine the situation is okay, you can then remove the cameras.
The Best Hidden Nanny Security Cameras
A nanny cam is a video camera or webcam that you can set up in various areas of your house. You can get a wireless camera so you can have the feed come into one location. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
You are able to hook up the cameras to your home's WiFi network. This enables you to access the cameras on your mobile device, tablet, or laptop. The feeds are often password-protected, so only you can access the video.
1080P HD Wireless WiFi Remote View Cameras
This wireless camera supports multi-users, so multiple members of your household are able to view the feed. You can watch the video on your Apple or Android devices.
It's very small, with it being a little over an inch wide and a half of an inch tall. The small size makes it portable and you can slip it into tiny spaces as needed.
You can watch the feed in real-time from anywhere, right from your mobile device. The 150° wide viewing angle helps you see the entire room the camera is in, giving you an improved security experience.
The camera is also motion-detected. When it senses movement, the camera will start recording and send a notification to your phone. You can also set it up to record all day long.
Wireless Camera
If you don't have a strong WiFi connection, there are other types of cameras available. You can record any videos to the built-in SD card without accessing WiFi. After you insert a micro-SD card into the camera, it will start to continuously record video directly to the card.
You can also connect it to a local WiFi network and watch the live feed on your mobile device. You can play, download, or delete videos on the SD card directly through the app on your device.
Decide If a Hidden Nanny Cam Is Right for You
Installing a hidden nanny cam can give you peace of mind that your house is running smoothly while you're away. While you may completely trust your babysitter or nanny, having that extra security can help you feel better about being away from home.
To check out our full range of nanny cams, visit our online store.