If you own an Amazon Echo, you can protect your home with a handy feature called Alexa Guard. When this option is enabled, Alexa can send you notifications if your Echo detects certain sounds such as smoke alarms or breaking glass, and let you to listen to any detected sounds that raised the red flag.
With connected smart lights, Alexa Guard can also turn the lights on and off to make it seem as if someone is home. While the free version of Alexa Guard can’t actually contact emergency services in the event of an emergency, Smart Alerts can be sent to certain smart home security system providers, such as Ring and ADT.
As an upgrade to the free option, Amazon now offers Alexa Guard Plus. Available for $4.99 a month or $49 a year after a free 30-day trial, the Plus version adds hands-free access to an Emergency Helpline, smart alerts about unexpected activity and other possible emergencies in your home when you’re away, and features designed to thwart potential intruders.
Alexa Guard and Alexa Guard Plus are compatible with the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Studio. If you want your Echo to detect the sounds of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms, you will need alarms capable of producing audible tones.
The Echo device must also be positioned close enough to the alarm that the sound can be detected. Amazon recommends testing this out by positioning your Echo and then pressing the test button on your alarm and seeing if Alexa Guard detects the sound.
Set Up Alexa Guard
Before you can enable Alexa Guard, you must make sure you’ve added at least one Echo device to your account, which you do through the Alexa app. Open the app on your device and tap the More icon. Go to Settings > Guard > Set Up Sound Detection.
Make sure the switches are enabled for Smoke & CO Alarm Sounds and Glass Break, assuming you want Guard to alert you to the sound of either event. Tap Confirm and the app tells you that all of your supported Echo devices will be selected for sound detection, then tap OK. A confirmation screen tells you that Guard is set up and ready to use.
You can now activate Guard several ways. At the Guard screen in the Alexa app, tap the Home button to change it to Away Mode. Otherwise, you can use your voice. Say “Alexa, I’m leaving.” Alexa says goodbye and tells you that Guard has been activated.
If Alexa Guard detects the sound of breaking glass or a smoke or CO alarm, you’ll receive a Smart Alert on your mobile device and smartwatch. You can then play the recording to hear the sound. Alexa asks you to confirm if this was the sound of glass breaking or an alarm. Tap Yes or No. Alexa then asks if this is an emergency situation. Again, answer Yes or No. You can also drop in on your Echo and listen to the surrounding area for any noise, in case someone has broken in.
If you have a smart light or plug connected to a lamp, you can use Alexa Guard to turn the lights on and off to make it seem as if someone is home. To set this up, connect and pair a compatible smart light or plug with your Echo. When you say “Alexa, I’m leaving,” Alexa will then periodically turn your lights on and off.
If you use ADT Pulse, ADT Control, or Ring Alarm security systems, Alexa Guard can automatically alert the security company if it detects the sound of broken glass or alarm tones.
Set Up Alexa Guard Plus
You can sign up for Alexa Guard Plus by opening the Alexa app and going to Settings > Guard, then tapping the Set up more Guard features banner at the top of the screen. With this paid option, your Echo can play the sound of sirens or dogs barking if it detects motion. Plus, it can automatically call an emergency helpline to get response agents to come to your home.
Swipe down the screen to read about the features offered by Guard Plus. Tap the Learn More button to see an Amazon webpage with further details on Guard Plus.
To get started, say: “Alexa, try Guard Plus.” Alexa then gives you the price and details on Guard Plus and asks you if you want to subscribe. Say Yes, then head to Settings > Guard in the Alexa app and tap the Finish Guard Plus setup notification.
Go through each screen to set up Guard Plus. Confirm and tap your address at the Emergency Address screen. This step is important as it will tell first responders where to go in the event of an emergency. You can add a new address here if necessary. Tap Save and the app will tell you that the Emergency Helpline is ready to use.
You can tap the Plus button for Dog barking sounds to investigate that feature. For this one to work, however, you’ll need a motion-detecting and outdoor-facing camera. If you have one that’s compatible with Alexa, you’ll need to set it up as a smart device. If you don’t have one, you can shop for cameras from the next screen.
Return to the Guard screen and tap the Plus button for Activity sounds with siren. Follow the steps to enable this feature. You’ll need to create a voice code as confirmation whenever you tell Alexa to turn on Guard, or to set the sensitivity for any sounds. When done, tap Confirm.
Now when you activate Guard either by voice or through the app, Alexa will listen or look for any triggering sounds or motions.
