How Safe Are Smart Plugs?

With any new electrical device, safety questions are always on the public’s mind, and Smart Plugs are no exception. So, we’re going over some of the risks associated with these smart home devices, as well as how Wiser aims to protect your data.

What is a Smart Plug?

A smart plug provides full control over electrical devices, by transforming an ordinary power socket into a smart home system outlet. You can activate lights, TVs, stereos or anything else that’s connected to a smart plug from anywhere and at any time via a smartphone or tablet. 

Smart plugs from Wiser can also integrate with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant to turn appliances on or off using voice commands. And there’s no separate system to control your smart plugs; simply use the same Wiser App that’s available for your smart heating!

The Risk – Are Smart Plugs a Fire Hazard?

It’s important not to overload electrical sockets and extension leads with smart plug devices. It’s also advised not to use smart plugs with high-power electrical devices (like space heaters) which can exceed the maximum wattage of the device. Under the worst circumstances, doing either of these can create a fire hazard in your home.

The Wiser Solution – A Secure Design and Constantly Improving Safety Measures

Smart plugs from Wiser have the highest modern safety standards and fit securely to any UK mains outlet. The firmware of our smart plugs will also be updated automatically, ensuring your devices continue to function safely and efficiently. 

To minimise the risk of fire when using smart plugs:

• Make sure electrical devices you control never exceed our smart plugs’ maximum wattage of 3kW (13A max. current) displayed in the instructions.

• Never overload extension leads, always check the maximum wattage capacity of these devices too.

• Ensure there is a clearance between the smart plug unit and adjacent furniture and household objects.

• Our smart plugs are for indoor use only.

When used correctly, our smart plugs reduce the danger by allowing you to check and turn off any device that is posing a fire risk.

The Risk – Are Smart Plugs Vulnerable to Data Theft?

In this digital age and the rise of the smart home, data protection and cyber security are growing concerns for homeowners. Without strong coding practices put in place by smart device manufacturers, these are very real risks. 

The Wiser Solution – Online Protocols and Wiser’s Factory Reset Options

Wiser products such as smart thermostats and smart plugs gather and store personal data for innovative features like IFTTT Integration and the Smart Modes. It is for this reason that data security is taken, as Drayton Wiser’s Engineering Director recently put it,n a recent article, “incredibly seriously”.

All traffic between your Wiser devices and the cloud is encrypted to guarantee the highest level of security for homeowners. In addition, any data that’s stored on the Wiser App is protected by the sophisticated security mechanisms of iOS and Android operating systems. 

Finally, we offer support such as a factory reset option to ensure data breaches are prevented. You can use this if you move home and leave your smart thermostats or smart plugs installed in your old property. It makes your Wiser account and your personal data unavailable to strangers.

For more information on the steps we take to keep your home and personal data secure, feel free to check out our Support Page. Alternatively, you can discover some of our tips for making the most out of Wiser Smart Plugs here.