Can Alexa Call 911 in an Emergency?

As technology changes, we adjust our routines and habits to adapt. Amazon devices and other smart devices make listening to music, ordering products online, controlling smart devices and more available at the sound of a voice command. These devices can even be configured to help set up security measures for your home to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. With all of these fantastic voice features available, there’s one major question many people have: Can Alexa call 911?

Can Alexa Contact Emergency Services?

Unfortunately, on its own, Alexa cannot call 911. Amazon does offer a paid subscription to its Emergency Assist program as a workaround for $5.99 a month or $59.99 annually.

According to Amazon’s Urgent Response FAQ page, “Once you’ve purchased your Emergency Assist subscription, you or others in your household can say ‘Alexa, call for help’ to a compatible Echo device or the Alexa App to be connected to a trained Urgent Response agent.”

The FAQ cautions that “Urgent Response calling will not work during power outages or if you’re experiencing internet connectivity issues,” but explains that “you can still reach Urgent Response via the Alexa app on your mobile phone provided you have cellular connectivity with data.” Amazon’s Urgent Response FAQ page also makes it very clear that “Urgent Response is not a 911 service, and by default, Alexa does not support calling to 911.”

How Does Urgent Response Work?

If you’ve signed up for the Emergency Assist program and have an emergency, you can ask your device to “call for help.” Next, according to the Urgent Response FAQ, “trained response agents can then request dispatch from police, the fire department, or an ambulance on your behalf based on the information you provide during the call.” You’ll have to specify an address if you need help somewhere other than the emergency address listed on your profile.

You can also call the service from your Alexa App. The Urgent Response FAQs state that if you contact Urgent Response this way, and have toggled location sharing services on, “Alexa will share your last known location with the agent.”

Are There Any Workarounds?

Currently there are no confirmed workarounds to make your Alexa call 911. Depending on your phone service and the Amazon smart device that you own, you can have your device make some phone calls for you.

The Urgent Response FAQ states that “AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile customers can link their mobile number to Alexa to make and receive hands-free calls over Wi-Fi on an Alexa-enabled device, like the Echo Dot or the Echo Show 15.” Some customers have tried saving 911 as a contact in their phone to give themselves the option of having their device call 911 but according to the responses to customer queries about this capability, it’s not a surefire workaround.

Considering the importance and urgency involved with calling 911, unless you have an Urgent Response subscription, you should probably stick with calling 911 through traditional means to ensure timely response from emergency services.

Source

• Urgent Response FAQs, Amazon.com
• Can we place calls to 911 through the amazon echo show?, Amazon.com

The post Can Alexa Call 911 in an Emergency? appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.