You’re Probably Only Using Your Security Camera for One Thing—Here Are 5 Better Ways

When I’m working, I keep the security camera feed from the nursery open on my phone, just to ease my mind. But when I'm glancing at the stream, I often catch my toddler having a sweet conversation with her stuffed animals or patting the baby’s foot.

I got this camera for home security reasons, but in addition to keeping my kids safe, it treats me to unexpected daily moments of cuteness. And that’s not the only extra benefit that camera users can get from their security cam setups.

When you’re working away from home, it’s nice to use your cameras to check on your dwelling — and even nicer to check on your cat, dog, rat, or boa constrictor.

Your indoor camera isn’t limited to looking for intruders and checking your home’s air quality. Depending on its angle, it can also show you when your furry friends eat, drink, or go outside. Or the camera may just share a glimpse of the funny things they do while you’re gone. Either way, it’s almost as good as being home with them.

And surprise! Adorable animal clips don’t stop with your house pets. The video doorbell on your front door might catch birds digging for worms; the SimpliSafe outdoor camera, meant to deter trespassers, could capture a video of a deer nosing around in your backyard. Move over, David Attenborough.

When my grandmother moved into a care home, my mom couldn’t drop in as often as she wanted. Eventually, she figured out a solution: She put a security camera in the main room of my grandmother’s suite. That way, she could visually check in whenever she wanted.

If you’re a caregiver, a similar setup might be just what you need, whether your loved one is in a facility or their own home. Aging or disabled parents and grandparents often resist frequent family check-ins, and a camera in a high-traffic area of their residence is a less-invasive measure that offers reassurance for everyone.

Now you don’t have to drop by every day or call repeatedly until someone picks up. You can just glance at the camera feed to confirm that your care recipient returned from an outing or turned off the stove. And devices with two-way audio (like SimpliSafe cameras) also offer a hands-free way for your loved one to speak to you in an emergency, should one arise.

Your doorbell camera can catch camera thieves and trespassers, but it also keeps you in the know when it comes to home deliveries and other services.

I use cameras to check on my small kids, but they’re also fantastic for keeping an eye on your school-age children when they beat you home. With the aid of your cameras, you can make sure they arrive safely, lock the door, and get themselves appropriate snacks (i.e., not the cookies you’re planning to stress-eat). Some indoor cameras even pivot towards motion or noise, giving you a near-panoramic view of whatever your offspring is up to.

Sure, using cameras may feel a little surveillance-y, but when you get down to it, it’s not that different than checking in through a phone call or asking a neighbor to drop by. The main change is in the technology you’re using.

Your house is often the most expensive thing you own, and being away can be anxiety-inducing. And that tension only increases when you leave behind your prize-winning plants, beloved Labrador, or teenagers who swear they’ll be fine (but you’re not so sure).

Quickly accessing your security camera feeds on your phone makes a world of difference. You can check that the neighbor kid is watering your plants, the automatic dog feeder is actually feeding Licorice, and the 14-year-old isn’t taking your car for a spin, all with just a few taps of your fingers.

Best of all, you can check in without significant disruption to your vacation. I’ve checked my camera apps from cruise ships, on the streets of Paris, and even right before I board rollercoasters. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it really eases my mind so that I can enjoy the trip I’m paying for.

Kleenex was originally invented for removing makeup, not for wiping noses — but it turned out to be really, really good at wiping noses. Likewise, although security cameras are intended to deter and catch intruders, you can use yours for whatever you want. The sky truly is the limit.

And in the end, it may turn out that your favorite things about your home security cameras have nothing to do with security at all.