Heat and Water Protection Tips for your Mobile Devices

Thank you to U.S. Cellular for allowing me to be a member of their Blogger Brigade. All opinions are 100% my own. Take a look at this Parent-Child Agreement if you’re looking to set some ground rules for cellular use within your family this summer.

I don’t know about you, but summer fun for my family consists of a lot of time outside and a lot of time on or in the water. It also consists of a lot of photo sharing on social media so that those that aren’t with us can still be a part of the fun. A lot of us have learned the hard way though that mobile devices and heat or water aren’t always the best combination. With smartphone obsession at an all-time high, I, along with U.S. Cellular  want to let you know that there are recovery measures available when you’re Samsung Galaxy S7 can’t beat the heat, and also share some tips to keep phones safe during the summer months.

To start, being proactive is always best because as careful as we may be, there’s always a chance that something can happen….like the time my iPhone 6+ met it’s demist by taking a swim in the toilet. No, I no longer carry it in my back pants pocket…most of the time anyway. It’s always a good idea to consider insuring your device, especially if you are prone to accidents (and even if you think you’re not). Many wireless carriers offer device protection that includes device replacement, tools to back up data and malware protection. My husband just used our cell phone insurance last week and it saved us from being out hundreds for a new phone. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and U.S. Cellular can help.

 

Ways in which summer activities could harm our devices:

• Many manufacturers recommend keeping a phone between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid temperature damage. If a device overheats, the internal components may become damaged which can cause data loss, dead batteries, and in some extreme cases, the lithium battery may leak, bubble up, expand or explode and ruin the device completely.

 

• Water damage can happen frequently during the summer months. Liquid gets inside of the phone’s casing and corrodes the internal electrical components, causing the phone to short circuit and stop the phone from working. It doesn’t just have to be a toilet swim either. It could be something as simple as a bottle of water leaking in the same place your phone is being carried or accidentally falling out of a purse or pocket into a small amount of water…a little bit goes a long way when it comes to water and electronics and the outcome is rarely positive.

 

 

 

Tips for those who want to keep their phones safe while having fun this summer:

• Smartphone users should consider purchasing a separate water-resistant case for summer activities around water. Cases such as an OtterBox, DryCase or LifeProof are great options to consider for your iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S8 that will still allow normal use of the phone. I always have a case on my phone and a screen protector; plus it can be fun to accessorize with a cool case. In a hurry or in a pinch, a less expensive home remedy is to utilize a plastic bag, which will keep a smartphone sealed and safe to avoid damage, including sand or dirt. Going boating or to the beach? This is a great idea even if you already have a case on your phone.

 

• If disaster strikes and a smartphone does fall into water. Turn off the phone immediately and remove the battery, if possible. After, place the phone near a fan, not heat, to dry and use rice or desiccant packets to help absorb moisture. This doesn’t work all of the time, but if you can get this done immediately after the incident before water has time to seep into everything, your chances of salvaging your device are astronomically better.

 

• Users should keep smartphones out of direct sunlight or in a car unattended where temperatures can reach over 150 degrees. If a device overheats, the internal components may become damaged which can cause data loss or dead batteries.

 

• Always utilize your wireless carrier if disaster arises. For peace of mind, ask about insurance or data back-up options when purchasing the device. Later, if you suspect the phone is not working due to water or heat damage, take the phone to the wireless carrier, like U.S. Cellular, who can sometimes fix it when home remedies haven’t worked.

 

Have you ever encountered a heat or water damage issue with your mobile devices? Were you able to save it? What’s your best tip to keep devices safe? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!!