SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah’s winter months approach, you’re probably preparing your home for cooler temperatures— weatherproofing windows, insulating crawlspaces, and so forth. But have you given any thought to winterizing your home security?

If not, now is the perfect time to start. Here are some tips about how an outdoor security camera can help you this winter, what to look for as you pick a camera, and which models are particularly reliable selections.

Benefits of an outdoor home security camera

Security cameras are handy year-round, but they have some special benefits in winter. Here are a few of the big ones:

• Burglary prevention: Burglaries can be a real concern during the holiday season. Many people spend more time away from home to shop, attend social parties or visit family during November and December, leaving their homes unattended and vulnerable. Having a security camera in place can let you easily check on your home and property.
• Package safety: Lots of holiday shopping takes place online, meaning many homes see an uptick in package deliveries. Thieves note this trend, too, and may jump at the opportunity to snag an unattended package. A security camera can serve as a great deterrent to anyone eyeing your packages.
• Nighttime security: As the days get shorter, it gets harder to peer out the window and immediately know who is traipsing across your snow-covered lawn. A new home security camera with high resolution and night vision can help you see what’s going on outside your home, day or night.

Security camera features to consider

While all home security cameras are beneficial, not all are designed for your specific lifestyle—or for Utah’s great outdoors. To ensure you receive all the benefits of a home security camera, pay attention to these important security features.

• Setup: Wireless cameras are often easier to set up than wired cameras, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t have any wires at all. Figure out exactly how hard a camera is to set up and install before you commit to buying one.

• Infrared capability: Infrared allows a camera to record footage in low-light settings. To combat those dark winter evenings, make sure the camera you choose has decent infrared specs.

• Image quality: Most modern home security cameras offer relatively high definition recording options, but check the exact resolution to make sure it’s high enough to capture the detail you’re looking for.

• Streaming/recording ability: Some cameras stream video live, meaning you can monitor your home from a smartphone or other device. Others only record video to a DVR or computer. Opt for the method that best suits your lifestyle.

• Viewing angle: The viewing angle affects how much square footage can be captured within a single shot. As such, it plays a role in determining how many cameras you’ll need to purchase and where you’ll set them up.

• IP rating: Most home security cameras come with two-digit IP ratings. The first digit—ranging from 1 to 6—details protection from solid materials while the second—ranging from 1 to 8—relates to liquids. For both numbers, a higher digit indicates better protection.

There are a few other additional safety features you may want to consider, including sound capabilities and motion detection, but the six above should allow you to feel confident in your security camera's winter abilities.

Top home security cameras for winter weather

Now that you’ve got an idea of what to look for in an outdoor home security camera, you can begin looking for one. The following three are a good place to start. They’ve made this list due to their weather resistance, favorable customer reviews and standing as leading home security cameras.

PHYLINK Bullet

The PHYLINK Bullet home security camera offers a quick setup, in terms of both hardware and software. It also benefits from infrared capabilities and a weatherproof casing that waterproofs the power cable connection. With this camera, you can opt for always-on recording or motion-triggered recording.

The mobile app is clean and user-friendly, allowing you to decide if and when push notifications are delivered to your connected device.

Where to buy: Available on Amazon

Guardzilla Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera

At 1.5 pounds, Guardzilla’s camera is a lot lighter than the PHYLINK Bullet, but it’s still a powerhouse of a security camera. It ensures resistance to rain and snow, and can be used with either a power cord or batteries, depending on user preference. The magnetic mount makes for flexible installation, as well.

Plus, as with others on this list, this Guardzilla camera offers mobile notifications for motion-triggered events to keep you apprised of what’s going on outside your home, even when you’re away.

Where to buy: Available on Amazon

Zmodo ZM-W0007

Zmodo’s ZM-W0007 camera takes the lead in terms of price. However, it isn’t entirely weatherproof — it features an IP65 rating. Despite that slightly lower water resistance, the camera makes up for it in other ways. It offers high resolution, 65-foot-range night vision and streaming over a Wi-Fi connection.

Where to buy: Available on Amazon

Home security cameras increase safety throughout the year, but they’re especially useful during the cold winter season. By being thorough as you look at your home security needs, you can help ensure that these holidays are as safe as they are merry.

Do you use a home security camera? Which one do you recommend? Let us know in the comments.

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