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Products and appliances

Smart speakers

Smart speakers usage and safety

Smart speakers using AI assistants (such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant) are increasingly becoming part of the modern home. But it’s important to take safety seriously with these devices.

Voice-activated gadgets such as the Amazon Alexa and Echo are becoming a common household device in the UK. And most can now be directly connected to appliances around the home to remotely control them, such as lighting, heating and electronics.

There are a range of devices available, from compact, budget-friendly units to high-fidelity audio systems and smart displays.

Most include portable bluetooth-enabled speakers, while more advanced models offer smart home hubs with built-in assistants or even touchscreens for video calling, watching, and controlling smart home devices.

Some devices use internal batteries which need charging periodically, usually via a USB-C cable or a specialized charging base/dock.

Asterisk

Key points

  • Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them.
  • Choose carefully where to set up your smart speaker, keeping it on a flat, stable surface away from moisture and heat.
  • Only charge a smart speaker with the manufacturer’s cable and a USB charger from a reputable source.
  • Do regular checks of the charger plug and socket for burn and scorch marks.
  • Don’t attempt to repair or adapt your device as there is a risk of electrical shock if you remove the cover or back.

Buying a smart speakers

  • Buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the speaker may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
  • Although lots of reviews of smart speakers are posted online, don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
  • Register your smart speaker so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a smart speaker safely

  • Follow the provided instructions carefully and pay close attention to any warnings supplied with the product.
  • Use the power supply provided with the speaker or, if it’s USB powered, use a USB charger from a reputable source.
  • Beware buying substandard or counterfeit chargers for your device as there are many dangerous chargers available. 
  • Look for a manufacturer's name, a model number, and a UKCA or CE mark but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers. And there should be at least 9.5 mm between the live and neutral pins and the edge of the plug.
  • Place on a flat, stable surface and keep away from sources of moisture and heat.
  • Don’t attempt to repair or adapt your device as there is a risk of electrical shock if you remove the cover or back.
  • If your smart speaker gets wet, or the plug or wires become damaged, unplug immediately and stop using it.
  • Unplug when not in use and before cleaning.
  • If you notice any wires getting hot, fraying, or melting, stop using immediately.
  • Don’t leave battery operated smart speakers on charge near to soft furnishings or flammable materials. And don’t leave on charge overnight or while you are out of the house.
  • Only charge smart speakers with the manufacturer’s cable and a USB charger from a reputable source.
  • Regularly check the speaker charger and/or plug and your socket-outlet for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch.

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying.  
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer. 
  • Place on a flat, stable surface away from moisture and heat.
  • Unplug when not in use and before cleaning. 

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online.
  • Using the smart speaker if it gets wet.
  • Charging a smart speaker overnight or while you are out of the house.
  • Using the speaker if you notice any damage or sparks, or the wires are hot to touch. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

Smart speakers use microphones to constantly listen for a "wake word" (such as "Alexa" or "Hey Google").

Once detected, the device records the voice command, sends it to the cloud via Wi-Fi, uses AI to process the request, and returns an answer or action such as playing music, controlling smart home devices, or providing results from an internet search.

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Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

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