# How to keep people from manually turning off switches associated with smart devices? **URL:** \ **Category:** How-To\ **Created:** [March 15, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/how-to-keep-people-from-manually-turning-off-switches-associated-with-smart-devices/157733 "2019-03-15T16:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 4
**Author:** ![JDRoberts](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jdroberts/32/56577_2.png) [@JDRoberts](https://community.smartthings.com/u/JDRoberts)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/how-to-keep-people-from-manually-turning-off-switches-associated-with-smart-devices/157733/4 "2019-03-15T16:36:33Z")
People most typically run into this with smart bulbs, so there are a couple of FAQs in the forum that should give you some ideas. The same principles apply whether it’s a Wi-Fi camera, a pump, a smart bulb, or any other device where you don’t want the power turned off at the switch. The main solutions all come down to a couple of basic categories: 1. put a child safety lock over the existing switch to remind people not to use it. This tends to be most successful if you have voice control of the devices, because most people seem to like to use voice control and they just need the reminder. For a device which should be turned off only in emergencies, probably like a camera, there are also switch locks available which are intended for use with things like freezers or medical equipment. Very similar to the child safety locks, it’s just that they lock completely. 1. swap out the existing switch for a battery operated device. There are some which are designed to fit over the top of the existing switch, and some which would need A little more creativity. 2. swap out the existing switch for a mains powered Switch which does not control the current But again, read the FAQs first, they should help. 🕶 > [@FAQ: Looking at a good Wall Switch for my Hue Bulbs (2020 Short FAQ) ( also applies to other brands of smart bulbs)](https://community.smartthings.com/t/faq-looking-at-a-good-wall-switch-for-my-hue-bulbs-2018-short-faq/112309/): > > Looking for a wall Switch to replace the one I have atm. What i need it to do is -Turn on Off -Be integrated with Smarthings and Alexa (No wifi if possible) -If it mathers be compatible with Hue Lights . > [@FAQ: Philips Hue and Other Smart Bulbs - What sort of light switches to use with them? (Long FAQ)](https://community.smartthings.com/t/faq-philips-hue-and-other-smart-bulbs-what-sort-of-light-switches-to-use-with-them-long-faq/28984): > > Thinking on a big move to Hue lights, the real question is - what switches to use with them? If they’re all automatable via ST and other devices, do I really want to put them all on controllable switches too? There’s the advantage that I can arrange to ensure those switches are on so that the the Hue bulbs would be too…but it also leaves open the ability for folks to just turn them off and leave them off. Hmm. Thoughts? --- _[View the full topic](https://community.smartthings.com/t/how-to-keep-people-from-manually-turning-off-switches-associated-with-smart-devices/157733)._