Most parents really would prefer to be at home when the kids are coming home after school. However, that just is not always possible. Work, lessons, and distance often makes it impossible to be in the home at all times when children are present. There may be a nanny, housekeeper or babysitter available, but parents sometimes want to see for themselves what is going on in the household when they aren't around to supervise. It may be that the youngsters need to know that mom or dad will be checking on them to make sure they make it home on time, or that they are completing chores that are needed.

Having a home security system with a camera means that no one can be in the house when they are not supposed to be present. This can include those who are present to try to burglarize the home or the parents may not want children from other families in the house when there is no adult supervision. Conversely, there is the whole issue of the quality of the child care being provided by paid employees in the home. The housekeeper or nanny may not be paying enough attention to the needs of a very young child. They may be overly forceful in their punishment or discipline of the child, sometimes even to the point of injury. With a home security camera, the parent can check in visually several times during the day, or as often as they want so that they can check on the child and the caregiver unobtrusively and confirm that everything is okay at home, or intervene if necessary to protect the child.

A similar situation occurs in a home when there are pets such as a dog or cat that stay alone in the house while you are out working or on a recreational break. A recording device played for them while you are out, or a camera recording of what they are getting into. This is not to say that the dog and or cat are misbehaving, it's just that many refuse to obey your commands if you are not there to enforce them. Having camera surveillance of your pets can be a way to protect them if they are venturing into situations that could be harmful or fatal to them.

If there are elderly family members who live in the home, or even in another residence, a home security camera is ideal for monitoring their well being. Help can be sent in the event of an incapacitating illness or when there is a fall.

Of course, an obvious reason for setting up a home security system with a camera is to prevent unwanted intruders into your home. In many cases, the alarm alone will be enough to scare off the intruder, but a camera, alarm and tie in to a response unit will be a great way to prevent loss from theft to your possessions. Alarm systems for home security usually include notification of inhabitants for fire, smoke and noxious gases as well as intruders.