After a long, anticipated wait, April, the pregnant giraffe at the Animal Adventure Park in New York, finally gave birth to her calf this past weekend. The birth was a highly anticipated event, since millions of people had been monitoring April via live stream for well over a month. The event also demonstrated a use for surveillance cameras not centered on security: giving observers an inconspicuous view of the animal world. In fact, multiple zoos and wildlife refuges now use cameras to observe the behavior and actions of their animals to provide better care. But residential consumers and other industries are also finding new and alternative uses for surveillance cameras outside basic security:
- Industries with firm compliance standards for sanitation, such as hospitality and food, use cameras to monitor their facilities to ensure processing floors are up to code and employees are meeting those standards.
- Video surveillance is also increasing in warehouses, where safety standards are often stricter, to monitor compliance with the rules and provide footage in the case of an accident or violation.
- Retail stores have found surveillance footage useful in determining shopping patterns and traffic flow through their stores. This helps marketing teams determine the best locations for displays, the efficiency of signage, and the shopping habits of their customers.
- Hunters utilize surveillance cameras to prepare for upcoming hunts. The cameras help them determine what type of game is in their hunting area and track the movement of the animals. In fact, there are multiple cameras designed solely for the use of game tracking.
- More cities are implementing cameras to monitor traffic flow to determine the efficiency of light patterns and give emergency responders information on the fastest route to their destination.
- Parents of newborns have found surveillance cameras to be a more secure and reliable substitute for baby monitors and a way to keep an eye on kids playing outdoors. On the other side of the spectrum, cameras can also be used by caretakers to check on elderly patients.
Adding video to your security package is a great investment; there are so many alternative uses for surveillance cameras. They can be useful for many commercial or domestic purposes!