The iGuard was one of the most talked-about smart home products at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show.
The iGuard is designed for one critical purpose: Shutting off stoves and cooktops to prevent kitchen fires when someone wanders away from the stove. For older adults who age at home, particularly those with dementia, that function might an everyday lifesaver.
Automatic shutoff devices aren't new, but while other devices rely on motion sensors to detect movement in the kitchen, the always-on iGuard's radar capabilities are far more sensitive and accurate. When someone leaves the kitchen while cooking, the iGuard automatically starts a five-minute timer. If no one returns after five minutes, the device cuts power or shuts off the gas line.
Caregivers can also use the device to look in on loved ones from a distance. The device can notify them if a shutoff event occurs, or contact them if no one appears in the kitchen at a specific time. They can also manually shut down a stove from their mobile device.
Another clever feature that similar devices often overlook: unburned gas detection. When someone leaves the gas on without a burner running, the iGuard notices immediately and can shut off the gas before disaster occurs.
This product, which will be available this month for electric plug-in stoves, is one of a large category of devices to monitor stoves. While the iGuard has the most features and is the easiest to use, it is also one of the most expensive at $400 to $500. Devices with varying capabilities range from lows of $40.
Source: U.S. Fire Prevention Agency, University of Arizona