Table of Contents
Introduction
Keeping your home safe and secure is a top priority for many homeowners. Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, offers some useful security features that can help alert you of intruders and other dangers when you’re away from home. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to set up Alexa to protect your home.
Alexa Guard
The key feature for home security is Alexa Guard. This uses the microphones in your Echo devices to listen for sounds that could indicate danger, like smoke alarms, breaking glass, or carbon monoxide detectors.
Here’s how to set it up:
Enable Guard Mode
- Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Guard
- Select “Set Up Guard” and follow the prompts
- Choose which alerts you want enabled (smoke, CO, glass, etc.)
You can also set Alexa to automatically turn connected smart lights on and off to make it look like someone’s home. This feature is called Away Lighting.
Set Your Location
- In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Location
- Enable location services so Alexa knows when you’ve left your home area
Activate Guard Mode
Now when you leave the house, just say “Alexa, I’m leaving” and Guard will turn on. Alexa will listen for sounds and send smartphone alerts if it detects a potential break-in or danger.
Link With a Security System
For even better protection, you can connect Alexa Guard to a compatible home security system like Ring or ADT. This allows you to arm and disarm your professional monitoring system using voice commands.
Here’s how to link Alexa Guard to a security system:
- Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Guard
- Select Link Device
- Choose your security system and sign in
- Follow the prompts to enable control and alerts
Now Guard will automatically change the status of your security system when you say you’re “leaving” or “home.”
Alexa Guard Plus
Alexa Guard Plus provides additional security features for $4.99/month:
Emergency Helpline
Lets you speak to an emergency helpline agent who can contact police, fire, or medical responders for you just by saying “Alexa, call for help.”
Additional Sound Detection
Listens for other human noises like footsteps, doors closing, people talking and sends smartphone alerts.
Smart Deterrents
Plays dog barking sounds or sirens automatically if Alexa detects an intruder to try and scare them away.
Set Up an Intruder Alert Routine
You can also create a custom “Intruder Alert” routine that works just like a makeshift alarm system. Here’s how to set it up:
Create the Routine
- Open the Alexa app and select Routines
- Tap the “+” to create new routine
- Name it “Intruder Alert”
Set the Trigger
- Tap “When this happens”
- Select “Voice”
- Type in the phrase “Intruder Alert”
Add Actions
- Tap “Add action”
- Select the smart devices you want to activate
- For example, choose lights to turn on or off
You can make Alexa say things like “Intruder detected” or have it play alarm sounds too. Save the routine when you’re done.
Now just yell “Alexa, intruder alert!” to trigger it. Consider placing Alexa devices in multiple rooms for whole home coverage.
Tips for Using Alexa Guard
Here are some useful tips:
- Place Echo devices central in each room you want to monitor
- Enable mobile alerts – don’t rely solely on Alexa’s announcements
- Customize Guard to only detect relevant sounds for better accuracy
- Routinely test that Guard is working when arming your system
- Add deterrents like smart lights and cameras to help scare intruders
While Alexa Guard provides helpful alerts, always contact emergency services right away in the event of a real break-in. Never solely depend on an Alexa routine or smart home gadget to fully protect your home. Consider adding monitored security like ADT or Brinks for 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency dispatch.
Conclusion
Alexa Guard and Guard Plus offer useful DIY monitoring to alert you of dangers at home when you’re away. For better whole home security, connect Alexa to a professionally installed and monitored system. This blends the convenience of voice control with the assurance that emergency personnel can be contacted if an intruder does gain entry. We hope this guide gave you some helpful tips to keep your home safe using Alexa Guard!
