Alexa Guard is an exceptional supplemental security and monitoring feature compatible with most Echo devices and security system companies, such as ADT and Ring. Alexa Guard will alert users when suspicious sounds are heard within or around the owner’s home. It can even take countermeasures to ward off intruders, like turning on Smart Lights in the house.
Alexa has come a long way from simply telling you the weather and searching random facts.
Today the device can help to keep you and your home safe with Alexa Guard.
A unique Amazon product, Alexa Guard can help support any security system you already have in your home.
Read on to learn what the Alexa Guard feature can do, how it notifies its users, how a power outage affects its functionality, and the overall cost of utilizing this tool.
First, What Does Alexa Guard Do?
Alexa Guard is a feature you can download onto any compatible Echo device, using the Alex app.
This feature will act as a monitoring system for your home – or you could think of it as an extra pair of ears when you’re away.
In terms of Echo compatibility, the following is a list of Echo devices that allow Alexa Guard:
Once you have properly downloaded this feature on your Echo device, you can enable it to “away mode” when you leave your home.
While in “away mode,” Alexa Guard will listen for suspicious noises within your house that would indicate a health hazard, security breach within the home, or suspicious activity just outside your home.
Specifically, Alexa Guard is programmed to detect:
- the sound of smoke alarms
- the sound of carbon monoxide alarms
- the sound of glass breaking
Once Alexa Guard “hears” one of these sounds, it will record a 10-second clip of the sound and send it to your connected device, most likely your Smartphone.
When you receive this recording, you can determine if further action is necessary.
You also have the option of setting Alexa Guard to notify you of all of these sounds or only a select few.
The Alexa Guard feature is super easy to use. To turn “away mode” on, simply say “Alexa, I’m leaving,” and the device will enable “away mode” until you return.
When you return, say “Alexa, I’m home,” so the feature doesn’t detect you as an intruder.
Alexa Guard is also compatible with several security systems and can be programmed to turn these systems on when you enable “away mode.”
It can also forward smart alerts to your security company when it has detected suspicious sounds, so they can determine for you if there is any danger in your home.
Security systems Alexa Guard is compatible with include:
- ADT Pulse or Control Security System
- Ring Security System (with the use of the Ring app)
- Scout Alarm System/ Always On+ Monitoring Plan
In addition to connecting to a compatible security system, you can also connect Alexa Guard to the Smart Lighting in your home.
This allows Alexa Guard to turn your lights on to imitate someone being home when it detects suspicious sounds that could indicate an undesirable person is outside your home.
Alexa Guard Plus
In addition to the Alexa Guard feature, you can also upgrade to Alexa Guard Plus for increased features that are capable of deterring unwelcome visitors.
The Plus can also assist you in an emergency while you’re home.
In terms of being your second pair of ears, Alexa Guard Plus has some highly beneficial monitoring features.
This includes playing sounds when “hearing” suspicious noises in or near your home.
These sounds can include a siren if the system determines a potential intruder is present.
It can also play the sound of angry dogs barking if the system is connected to outdoor cameras and detects suspicious activity near your home.
Alexa Guard Plus can also listen for a broader range of sounds than Alexa Guard is capable of.
Rather than just listening for breaking glass and alarm sounds, Alexa Guard Plus listens for noises that indicate “human activity,” such as footsteps, coughing, or a door closing.
This is highly beneficial because these more advanced sounds are unmistakable.
If Alexa detects footsteps or closing doors within your home and sends a recording of the sound to your device, you’ll know immediately that someone has entered your residence.
Another benefit of Alexa Guard Plus is that it allows you to access Amazon’s Emergency Helpline.
This is useful for emergencies if you are near your Echo device and can’t contact help yourself.
For example, if you’ve injured yourself or a fire has started in your home, you can tell Alexa to call for help and it will connect you with an emergency representative who will assist you.
How Does Alexa Guard Notify?
If Alexa detects any suspicious sounds, it will send a notification to the Smartphone device connected to the host Echo machine (most likely your cellphone).
Your phone will receive this notification via the Alexa app, where you set up the Alexa Guard feature.
Once you have been notified, you have the option of taking immediate action, such as telling Alexa to connect you to your security company or the police.
Alternatively, you can “drop in” to your Echo speaker and hear exactly what the speaker picks up in your home, to determine if the sound warrants further action.
Does Alexa Guard Work If The Power Is Out?
Unfortunately, Alexa Guard will not work if the power is out.
This is because Alexa Guard is a feature on your Echo device and all Echo devices must be supplied with electricity in order to operate.
Once the power is out, your Echo device is cut off from its electrical supply. At that point it will turn off, and so will all of your Alexa features.
Another power-related situation to be aware of is that Alexa Guard is a cloud service. Therefore, it also relies on an Internet connection to function.
If for some reason, your Echo device has power, but your Internet connection does not, Alexa will not function until the connection has been restored.
Always ensure your Echo device and your Internet have stable connections to power.
Also, be aware that even if your device only loses power momentarily, you may need to reset your Echo device or the Alexa Guard feature.
Is There A Charge For Alexa Guard?
Alexa Guard is a free monitoring/ supplemental security feature that you automatically receive with the purchase of a compatible Echo device.
All you need to do in order to use this feature is to download the Alexa app, and then enable Alexa Guard.
On the other hand, Alexa Guard Plus does cost either a monthly or yearly fee. Users are allowed a one-month free trial before purchasing a subscription to the product.
After the free trial has expired, Alexa Guard plus costs just $5 a month (as of 02/2021), or you can pay an annual fee of $49 a year.
Final Thoughts
Although I would not recommend to use Alexa Guard as a substitute for a full fledged security system (especially if you live alone) it’s a great add-on!
This new Amazon feature is highly affordable, whether you’d rather set up the free version or invest in the Alexa Guard Plus.
I love the fact that it’s a “security system” that you can take with you if you move from one apartment to another.
Although it is not advised that these features be used as your sole home security system, they are a fantastic resource for homeowners who don’t yet have or can’t afford an official security system.
Rather than leave your home completely unmonitored, use the “away mode” to provide some peace of mind.
You’ll feel safer just knowing that you’ll be notified if your Echo device hears any suspicious activity or the sounds of potential danger in your home.
The reduction in stress you’ll get from by having an extra pair of ears around your home is well worth the 3-5 minutes to set up and enable Alexa Guard.
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