[NFBofSC] Keep tabs on your home when you're out

[dale.pat at att.net]

Very interesting info.  Guess you'd have to have a later version of Alexa,
but its great to see what Amazon has done with this divisive.   

 

From: NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Steve & Shannon Cook
via NFBofSC
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2020 7:15 AM
To: 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Steve & Shannon Cook <cookcafe at sc.rr.com>
Subject: [NFBofSC] Keep tabs on your home when you're out

 

Keep tabs on your home when you're out

If Alexa hears suspicious activity, she'll alert you

There are all kinds of new security gadgets popping up in the smart home
space. But what's great about Alexa's Guard feature is that it provides an
extra

layer of home security at no extra charge -- and without the hassle of
setting up a whole new system. 

 

Alexa Guard lets you put your Echo speakers on alert when you're out so they
can listen for breaking glass and ringing smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors.

If Alexa picks up these sounds, she'll send your phone a push notification
with a 10-second audio clip so you'll immediately know what's happening at
home.

 

"Alexa, I'm leaving." Once you've enabled the Guard feature (easy
step-by-step in section below), just say "Alexa, I'm leaving" to activate
Away Mode.

I tested Guard by playing breaking glass and smoke alarm sounds, and it
worked exactly as it's supposed to.

 

Investigate any trouble for yourself -- before you even get home. If you get
a Guard alert while you're away, it'll include the option of dropping in on

your Echo so you can hear what's going on at home and decide whether to call
in help. (If you have an Echo Show, you'll be able to see what's happening,

too.)

 

Pro Tip #1: When you're dropping in, you can also talk -- so you could let
intruders know you're onto them.

 

Pro Tip #2: You can also hook your Alexa into a Ring or ADT security system
so when you say "Alexa, I'm leaving," she can automatically arm your
security

system, too. And if she detects a problem, she can send alerts to your
security provider in addition to giving you a heads up.

 

Pro Tip #3: Make sure your speakers are set up near the parts of your home
you most want to guard so she'll be more likely to hear any disturbances
while

you're gone.

 

list of 8 items

1. Open the Alexa app

2. Tap the menu icon (3 horizontal lines) in the upper left corner

3. Tap "Settings"

4. Tap "Guard" > "Set Up Guard"

5. When prompted, allow Alexa to send Smart Alert push notifications to your
phone 

6. Follow the set-up flow to choose which things you'd like Alexa to listen
for (Smoke & CO Alarms, Glass Break Sounds) and the devices on which you
want

to enable Guard.

7. Next time you leave the house, say "Alexa, I'm leaving" to arm the system
(or switch it to "Away" in the app)

8. When you get home, say "Alexa, I'm home" to disarm (or switch it to
"Home" in the app)

list end

Pro Tip #4: If you have Alexa-compatible smart lights, enable Away Lighting,
which uses data from your local area and algorithms to turn your smart
lights

on and off so it looks like someone's home even when you're away.

 

Pro Tip #5: If you don't live alone, make sure you let your family members
or housemates know about Guard and how to arm and disarm it to prevent false

alarms. 

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