Expert advice for preparing safety equipment for cold, snow or rain

As temperatures continue to drop rapidly, you may start to wonder if yours is home security cameras can withstand the weather. Fortunately, most security brands prepare their cameras for freezing rain, blizzards, and extremely cold temperatures.

However, not all cameras can be worn severe winter storms and little winter maintenance is required to help them survive intact and operational. Here’s what to do when things start to freeze.

Check your camera’s weatherproof rating

Outdoor security cameras come with a handy cheat code that shows what kind of weather resistance they have, known as IP ratings. Product information directly on the product page or box should have the IP rating listed somewhere, usually under the specifications. If the camera does not have an IP rating, it is no intended for outdoor use and will not survive in the rain at all.

IP ratings have two numbers, as in “IPXX”. The first number is dust protection, an important issue, but not as important for weather as the second number, a rating from 1 to 9 of how the camera handles water. The higher the rating, the better the camera has been tested to survive more water, water jets, powerful water jets, and so on. Look for cameras that offer IPX5 or IPX6 ratings for reliable outdoor protection in winter weather. Finding more than that on devices is rare, but it shouldn’t be any less.

Product information sections should also have temperature limits to show the camera’s safe operating conditions. The Nest Outdoor Camerafor example, it has an operating range of -4° to 104°F, the usual range should be fine for most climates, but it can be difficult if your area is known for particularly cold winters. Some cameras may even include humidity ranges for tropical users.

Place the nails under the eaves or awning

Even a high weather rating doesn’t make outdoor cameras invincible. You still want to give them what protection you can, especially from direct precipitation. This is even more important in cold winters where accumulated rain or snow can freeze on the camera.

When setting up the camera, choose a comfortable spot under the eaves or a nearby awning. Think about where you would want to stand during heavy rain and that is a good place for your camera. Fortunately, most homes have plenty of covered areas that will work, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot that still has all the right angles.

Do not tilt security cameras upwards

With the right setup, you should never tilt a security camera anyway, especially with today’s reliably wide field of view. But there’s another reason to resist the urge to tilt your camera up—perhaps to look at a bird’s nest or a gate up a hill—and that’s rain.

Rain can collect on a tilted camera lens and cloud it, leaving stains on the lens over time. It will also deposit a lot of dirt which will dry and be very difficult to remove. For a clear picture and easy maintenance, keep the cameras pointed forward and slightly downward if possible.

Keep the camera away from gusts of wind

All areas of your home are likely to be a little windy during a storm, but direct, strong gusts of wind cause two key problems. First, they can introduce a lot of dust and debris into the camera, which is very bad for the lens and not great for the body either. Second, in snow and rain storms, direct wind can blow a lot of precipitation onto an otherwise protected camera.

So, if you know of any particularly tense corridors or corners around your home, avoid placing security cameras in those places.

Find a complete camera housing

You can also consider a full camera case, a bit like a birdhouse, but with a see-through window in front. The camera goes inside and is safe from all kinds of elemental impacts. Also, the case is warmer and you can even add a heater to protect the camera from freezing.

Because enclosures are expensive, difficult to install, and require frequent maintenance or cleaning, we don’t recommend them unless conditions are very extreme. If winters dip below 0 degrees in your region and are notorious for massive blizzards, an enclosure may be worth your time. Otherwise, it’s probably not necessary.

Use shielded waterproof cables

If you are using wired security cameras, PoE cameras, or similar models, make sure your cables are rated for outdoor use and are securely attached. You can usually identify cables that are outdoor rated because they will have an extra silicone cover or connector protector for safety, a sign that the cable is ready to handle some moisture.

In some cases, you may also want to install a protective junction box to handle the wiring or outlet needed by the camera, which is usually a job for an electrician.

Bonus tip: Securely mount your security cameras if you’re having bad winter weather

Outdoor security cameras come in all shapes and sizes these days, including wireless options and models that have adhesive mounts. Technically, there are 3M adhesives designed for outdoor use that can even support security cameras, but you don’t want to use them if you have bad winter weather. For these conditions, stick to screw-in brackets.

Want more information on how to care for your security cameras? Check out our guides for best general security cameras and how to choose one, places you should never install a security camera and how to position the camera in the right way.