Amazon Alexa owners are just realising important little-known voice command that keeps their home safe for free

AMAZON’S Alexa devices can be the guard dog you never had every time you leave the house.

The smart home Alexa device can alert owners to smashed glass to help stop intruders from making off with your personal possessions.

1

Alexa Guard is a free feature that helps you keep users home safe when they’re away by using smart alert notifications, away lighting, and security system integration.

Not only can the device detect glass breaking, but also the sound of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – so users can immediately know when something is awry at home.

In the case of a potential burglary, Alexa can turn connected smart lights on or off to make it look like someone is home.

It can also integrate with security systems from Ring Alarm and HomeShield to really ring the bells on an trespasser.

Guard must be set up inside the Alexa app, not the Ring app.

Simply follow these steps to do so:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to More.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Guard.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm an emergency address.

Once Guard is switched on, all users need to do to is tell their Alexa device “I’m leaving,” and it will arm up.

The light ring on your Echo devices animates with a rotating white light when Guard is in Away mode.

Then say “I’m home,” to switch Guard to Home mode.

If it’s not working, make sure your device has the most up-to-date firmware installed.

Amazon also have a Guard Plus subscription package, for $5 per month or $49 per year, that links up with Ring accounts.

With Guard Plus, people can enable their Alexa to make voice calls to the Emergency Helpline, turn multiple Echo smart speakers into a knitted security system and use Ring cameras.

All folks need to say is “Alexa, call for help,” to contact emergency services – such as police, the fire department, or an ambulance.

To see if your device is compatible with Guard, check this list below:

• Echo Show
• Echo Dot
• Echo Plus
• Echo

Alexa cannot detect selected sounds on the following Amazon devices:

• Echo Look
• Amazon Tap
• The Alexa app
• Alexa Mobile Accessories
  • Echo Auto
  • Echo Buds
• Echo devices without a microphone, such as:
  • Echo Link
  • Echo Glow
  • Echo Wall Clock

Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks

Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered…

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk