Your smart speaker can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – Here's how
Your Amazon, Google or Apple smart speaker has a lifesaving feature I bet you don’t know about: It can tell you if there’s smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) in your home.
The speaker can’t actually detect smoke or CO, but it can “listen” for devices that do. So, if your smoke or CO alarm goes off and you’re away from home, your smart speaker can ping your phone, saving your property, belongings and precious pets inside.
Keep in mind that your smart speaker has to be within hearing distance of the alarms. It’s not too hard; those alarms are loud.
Amazon Echo
To get smoke and CO alarm detection on any Echo speaker or display, you’ll need to sign up for Alexa Emergency Assist ($5.99 per month or $59 per year). It detects glass breakage, sends push notifications and lets you have up to 25 emergency contacts, too. It’s a great option if you no longer have a landline. In the Alexa app on your phone:
- Open the More tab and select Emergency Assist.
- Tap the gear icon to get to the feature’s settings.
- Select Smart Alerts to turn alarm detection on or off.
Google Nest
For Google Nest cameras and speakers, it’s a similar deal. It can listen for smoke and CO alarm sounds, but you have to pay for Nest Aware ($8 a month or $80 a year). It also listens for breaking glass. From the Google Home app on your phone:
- Tap Settings on the navigation bar at the bottom.
- Choose Subscriptions.
- Tap Sound detection to turn on the alerts.
Apple HomePod
Kudos to Apple for making this important feature free. You don’t need a subscription; you just need a HomePod or HomePod mini. From the Home app on your iPhone:
- Open the Home tab.
- Tap the three dots at the top right, then tap Home Settings.
- Select Safety & Security and Sound Recognition to turn it on.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Taking care of aging parents? Here's a simple way to keep an eye on what's happening
Independence, safety and peace of mind. These are the most important elements for seniors living at home and their loved ones. Parents who wish to maintain their independence by living alone can be a double-edged sword. You’re happy they’re still self-sufficient, but you’re nervous about what can happen in an emergency.
4 dangerous mistakes you’re making with home security
A home security system is only as good as what your cameras can catch. Careful placement can mean the difference between capturing footage of a thief’s face or your dog relieving himself. Tap or click here for the best place to put your home security cameras.
Weekend project: 5 simple ways to make your home safer
When building a home security system, every little bit helps. You can make significant changes, like setting up outdoor cameras with facial recognition. This helps you spot familiar faces crossing your street every day.
My home was broken into. What am I supposed to do now?'
Each year in the U.S., there are an estimated 2.5 million burglaries. If this has happened to you, you know the fear and anxiety you feel after a break-in.
What should you do in the moments after discovering your home has been broken into or hearing someone come in? Knowing the steps to take in a moment of fear is hard, so it’s important to have a solid plan. If it never does, great news. If it does, you’re a little more prepared.
6 pieces of tech that are always draining power and costing you money
Depending on where you live, your electric bill can be super expensive, no matter which season we’re in. You run the AC during summer and the furnace during winter. We don’t seem to get a break.
Smart devices can go a long way in saving you some cash. Smart sprinklers, for instance, stop watering when it’s raining and monitor to ensure you’re not wasting water. Tap or click for the features to look for when upgrading your sprinkler system.
Porch pirates are worst in these states
What is the average value of a stolen package? About $50. Who are the ones doing that stealing? Data shows that 94% of porch pirates are 45 and younger, and 67% are middle class. That’s a little surprising, wouldn’t you say?
Here's what Amazon knows about you when you use a Ring doorbell
When you want to protect your home, you look for security systems that warn when people are on your property, record footage you can access at any time and can sound an alarm that scares off any would-be burglars.
Alarm systems should have your protection at heart. The information your alarm company accesses should be used for that purpose and that purpose only.
Money-saving secret your cable and internet provider doesn't want you to know
When you’re driving, spotty cell coverage is a drag. Music, GPS, and calls just won’t go through. Here’s a quick guide to boosting your service no matter where the road takes you.
What about a travel pro tip if you prefer to fly to your destination? You can see which flights include the most legroom with the right tools. I tell all my tall friends about this trick. Tap or click here for the secret — it’s No. 5 on the list.
Security camera warning: This brand is missing a key privacy feature
There are plenty of reasons to install a video doorbell at your home. The most significant benefit for many is seeing who walks to the front door. Tap or click for a handy product that solves the Ring doorbell’s biggest problem.
Home security 101: Where to put cameras
When it comes to home security, camera placement is everything. Tech gadgets can be finicky, so their location can make a difference. For example, here are the best places to put your router for better internet speeds.
5 signs your security camera was hacked and steps to prevent it
When setting up a home security system, you must password-protect your Wi-Fi and set up two-factor authentication (2FA). Hackers could take over your home network if you don’t take these precautions.
Safeguards like these can help stop a digital home invasion. Hackers are increasingly breaking into home security cameras, taunting and extorting people. A security oversight on your part could open the floodgates for a criminal to launch a reign of terror on you and your family.
7 clever uses for your smart doorbell camera
Smart doorbell cameras add a ton of value to your life. Not only do they make you feel more secure in your home, but they can deter criminals, too. If you let a burglar know you’re watching them, they may be too spooked to try anything.
3 places you should never put a security camera
Location is everything when it comes to your home security setup. You could spend thousands on a top-of-the-line system, but setting up your cameras near the ground does nothing. You always want your security cams high on walls and near room corners.
5 home security mistakes that may be putting you at risk
There are a few common flubs homeowners make when it comes to security, like keeping doors and windows unlocked or flaunting their wealth. Some subtleties can also endanger your possessions.
Sometimes, it’s hard to notice little signs burglars look for. You may be making their job easier. Tap or click here for simple ways to protect your home from burglars.
How to install a security camera without breaking any laws
Security cameras are a great way to protect your property. Tap or click here for ways to keep hackers out of your smart home security cameras. But if you don’t set them up correctly, you could pay an arm and a leg. We’re not talking about maintenance fees, either — we’re talking about legal fees.
Keep an eye on your property with our top 5 outdoor camera picks
Porch pirates and horrible neighbors can be found anywhere, so you should always keep an eye on your home.
We chose five excellent outdoor cameras you should use to monitor your home, pet areas, garage or shed. Tap or click here for the latest SimpliSafe HD outdoor camera.
The best and worst places to put home security cameras
You put a lot of trust in your home security cameras. Sadly, that can come back to bite you. Security researchers found flaws with a major brand. Namely, they weren’t encrypting private footage. Yikes.
Beyond brands, there’s placement to consider. I compiled a list to ensure the essential spots are covered and you’re not making big mistakes.
Crooks are jamming security cameras — Protect yours now!
Security cameras work in two ways. First, they act as a deterrent to thieves. If that doesn’t work, it captures them in the act of stealing your things or breaking into your home.
Your surveillance system is only as good as what your cameras can see. Placement is critical — you don’t want a tree blocking the view of your backyard. You also don’t want cameras to send a notification whenever a squirrel runs across the lawn. Tap or click here for four mistakes you’re making with your home security system.
This handy product solves the Ring doorbell's biggest problem
Did you know that a video doorbell can deter up to 50% of crime on your property? Wireless Ring doorbells are one of the market’s most popular, easy-to-install security items. But these battery-powered models need to be charged to do their jobs.