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Amazon Echo speakers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, making them ideal for placement anywhere in your home… or even in your car. With so much flexibility in where you can use Alexa, it can be easy to end up placing a speaker in a spot that could be disastrous for your smart speakers and smart displays.
You may know that it’s not safe to place your Alexa device near water, but did you know that intruders can gain access to your Alexa device? smart home device from outside if it’s too close to a window? Not only could you damage your Echo, but you’re also putting your privacy at serious risk.
Don’t worry, because we’ve got a handy list of where to avoid putting your Echo devices, and the best places to put them instead. (For more Amazon Echo tips, check out Which Alexa Settings You Should Change ASAP And five useful Echo features.)
1. Keep Alexa away from your toilet
Putting an Echo near your toilet is, quite simply, gross. Think of all the germs that hang out there, even in super clean bathrooms. If you must have an Echo device in your bathroom (and we understand the appeal), try to put it as far away from the toilet as possible.
If you can, mount it on the wall with a sticky pad or a nail. Just make sure it’s secure so it can’t fall off, and remember to put it near an outlet so you can plug it in. Also, keep it away from the bath. You don’t want to fry your Echo… or whatever.
Don’t even think about putting your Echo near the bathtub.
2. Don’t place Alexa near a sink
If you want to drown out the sounds of Alexa’s voice, by all means put your expensive Echo near a sink. If you want to keep it intact, never put it near water.
You don’t want to risk your kitchen sprayer going haywire and soaking your Echo, or a tall appliance falling into the sink. Instead, put it on another countertop, like a kitchen island, or tuck it into a corner where it’s farther away from splattered spaghetti sauce and water spray. It’ll stay cleaner, and it might sound better, too.
Read more: The 7 Places You Should Never Install a Home Security Camera
3. Don’t place Alexa near your windows
Keep your Echo away from any windows in your home. Its location can potentially give anyone outside access to your Echo, and that can give access to your other smart home devices. For example, if your car is connected to your smart speaker, someone could unlock and start.
If your Echo is near a window, you will need to move it.
4. Alexa shouldn’t sit under your TV
How many commercials are there that say, “Alexa, play…” and activate your Echo? Or if the TV says something that sounds a lot like “Alexa,” guess what’s going to happen. Not only does this interrupt the show you’re watching, but it also starts recording what’s said after the command. If you’re in a private conversation and Alexa starts, you’re endanger your privacyIt makes more sense to put it on a side table. Plus, the voice assistant is more likely to remain silent until you give a command.
If you really want to place your Amazon Echo device close enough to your TV that it can hear you, you might want to consider changing the wake word for the device. There are five total wake word options for non-Alexa Echo devices, so you have options to suit your home. There’s even a way to access fun Disney content!
5. Never place your Echo in front of a radiant heater
You should never expose your Amazon Echo to heat sources, Amazon says. This includes space heaters, heat registers, radiators, and stoves. This could potentially cause a fire or damage your Echo device.
Instead, make sure it’s well away from the heater to avoid a potential catastrophe. For example, if you have a radiant heater in your office, put the Echo on your desk and away from the heater.
Where should you place your Amazon Echo?
- On a mantelpiece or shelf
- On your nightstand
- Mounted on a wall that does not face a window
- In the corner of your living room (away from windows)
- On the edge of your kitchen counter far away from your sink
- A place that is clearly visible so that you can see when the light ring lights up
You can also read our story on the Four Best Uses for Your Amazon Echo Device in Every Room of Your Home to help you determine where to place your Echo.
Ready for more tips on what to do with your Amazon Echo? Check out these Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Your Amazon Echo Could Do And 6 Things You Haven’t Tried With Your Amazon Echo.
