Just as an FYI, and I apologize if someone has already mentioned this.
I discovered last night that you can create routines that trigger custom actions.
So rather than one Echo announcing to another Echo, “I’m home,” you can create a routine that is triggered by an open/close sensor that will fire a custom action “I’m home.”
- In the Alexa app, tap Routines,
- Create a Routine
- Enter Routine name
- Choose your trigger (I have a virtual device that is open when I want Guard off and closed when I want it on)
- Tap Add Action, and select Custom at the top of the options.
- Input “I’m home” (without the quotes) as the custom action.
- Profit
Hope this helps someone else!