'Smart' devices are now commonplace around the world, with everything from smart speakers to doorbells and lighting providing unprecedented connectivity in homes and commercial premises. Smart plugs are one of the most widely adopted of these devices, and like all technology, there are risks associated with them. This article looks at the main risks of smart plugs, from fire hazards to cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and explains how you can mitigate them.
Smart plugs look very similar to normal plugs, but they allow for remote operation. You can turn a smart plug, and the appliance connected to it, on or off from your phone or tablet. You can also schedule them to turn on or off at certain times. For example, your kettle can be ready for you when you wake up in the morning, or your heating can be set to come on before you arrive home.
Most smart plugs will be perfectly safe to use, but there are certain things to check when buying one. Does it have safety features such as surge or overheat protection ? Is it made from a flame retardant material? And has it been CE certified to show it has been thoroughly tested ? These are the key questions to ask before purchasing.
There is also a small risk that your smart plug could be hacked, checking for strong encryption features is worthwhile. You should also take care about what you connect to your smart plug: if your WiFi connection drops for any reason, it might have a serious impact on items such as a freezer, a fish tank or medical equipment that rely on a consistent power supply.
As with any other plug, smart plugs are more likely to be a fire risk if they are not used properly. Overloading a socket by plugging in too many appliances, or plugging in an appliance that exceeds the plug's maximum wattage, increases the risk of short circuits and electric discharges, both of which can cause fires in a worst-case scenario.
The safety features mentioned above, surge protection, overheat protection, flame retardant materials, and CE certification, are specifically designed to minimise the risk of fire. Avoid buying cheap plugs online or from suppliers you are not confident are reliable, as these are less likely to meet the relevant safety standards.
No plug is entirely risk-proof, but some manufacturers' plugs are cited as a greater risk than others. A notable example involved a Hiction smart plug available from Amazon, which was found to be particularly risk-prone. The plug contained two USB ports, and the live connection was found to be 'too close to an energy monitoring chip', increasing the possibility of an electrical discharge which could have caused a fire. This plug was subsequently removed from sale by Amazon pending investigation.
With this in mind, it is important to make sure you are buying a smart plug from a reputable source. Always look for the 'CE' mark on the plug, which certifies that it meets the relevant safety standards.
There are three key steps to minimising the risks associated with smart plugs :
this mark confirms the plug has been tested and meets UK and European safety standards.
manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities. Keeping your smart plug's software up to date reduces the risk of both hacking and malfunction.
never plug in more appliances than the socket is rated for, and always check that the appliance wattage does not exceed the plug's maximum load.
There are concerns that smart plugs are at risk of hacking, which could theoretically allow hackers to gain access to smart appliances in your home or business. While your smart plugs might only be used for a TV or coffee machine, there could be more serious consequences if a hacker gains access to your WiFi network and then interferes with electric gates or security systems, for example.
Certain plugs from TP-Link, Meross, Innr and Ajax were discovered to be particularly vulnerable to hackers. Once an infiltrator gained access to the plug, they could shut down power and also remain on the home's wireless network undetected. All manufacturers concerned have either released or indicated they will be releasing fixes for these issues.
As smart plugs and devices become more popular, the guidelines and standards around them are becoming stricter, meaning the aforementioned vulnerabilities will be fewer and further between when future smart plugs are released. Choosing plugs from established, reputable manufacturers and keeping firmware updated remains the best line of defence.
There is not currently anything on the market that offers the same functionality as a smart plug for non-smart devices, but you can certainly opt for normal plugs for any smart devices you own. If you leave the smart TV plugged in with the socket turned on, for example, you can still turn your TV on or off from your phone or tablet.
Smart plugs, by and large, are very safe and offer a genuine level of connectivity, functionality and ease in our homes and workplaces. If you use them properly, never overloading the sockets and carrying out any software updates when prompted, you are maximising your protection against both fire and intrusion.
The key takeaways are :
Don't wait for an incident to act. Contact Scutum today to arrange a fire risk assessment or fire safety review, and ensure your premises are protected against all fire risks, including those posed by electrical equipment.
