PSA: monitoring kids on cam? You might not be

I’ve got work today, I’ve got a window open letting in 90 degree air, the kids are out of school and stuck at home with nothing to do playing nicely in the back yard.

I don’t worry too much about them out there, but they’re playing in a small pool which is why I’ve got the windows open and the security camera trained right on them. I’m remoted into work, they’re one of my windows, they can have fun while I pay for the $8 of water and $12 patch kit we’ve blown today.

I’m watching 1-3 seconds behind what’s actually happening and I’ve accounted for that.

Imagine my surprise a couple of minutes ago while watching the kiddos splashing in a short pool that one is standing inside, dripping wet and asking for a popsicle. She’s on the monitor splashing in the pool. I ask her what’s needed and discover it’s popsicle fever.

I see her exit the pool as I get up to fix this malady. Somewhere in the past 10 minutes my stream to my cameras got pushed back about 45 seconds. This was not the 1-3 seconds I was expecting. The little “live” logo still appeared on my Nest, even though it was live as of 45 seconds ago and I don’t know why.

This isn’t a story of tragedy. Just something to note. Your IP security cameras do not make a reliable child watching device.

Two children who can both swim, fenced in backyard, an open window and neighbors hanging out lead me to not worry excessively, but that I could be watching nearly minute old video was not factored into my risk assessments.