Summer is approaching! In Northeast Ohio we are rejoicing at the thought of warmer temps, pool parties, and outdoor barbecues. That being said — we’re a technology education nonprofit first and foremost. That also being said, we encounter numerous calls about devices that are experiencing heat-related issues every summer.
From burnt-out batteries to devices overheating, simple mistakes can cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs if you’re not careful. So, from our staff, here are a few tips to keep in mind for your electronics this summer!
Don't Leave Your Device in the Car
One of the most frequent summer mistakes is leaving electronics unattended inside parked vehicles. The interior of cars can act like ovens, trapping heat and simply put, baking your device.
Intense heat can warp internal components, cause system failures and permanently damage your battery capacity. If you are really trying to stay away from your device while at the beach or pool, tuck it away somewhere safe (leaving it on your passenger seat risks it also being stolen, too) and cool, like your glove box or trunk. Try not to leave your device in a vehicle alone for more than an hour, if that.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Your phone screen and its metal casings are pretty efficient heat conductors, absorbing heat quickly when exposed to direct sunlight.This goes for more than just your phone, too. Laptops and tablets generate and collect heat en masse, especially when laying out on sand, pavement, or even a wooden pool deck.
Prolonged exposure can, again, warp internal parts, your screen, damage a devices’ battery and ruin touchscreen functions. When working or relaxing outside, placing electronics in shaded areas or covering devices with a towel can limit heat and sun exposure.
Please, Don't Try the Rice Trick
You just dropped your phone in the pool. Time to get the rice bag, right? Wrong.
Rice might just cause more problems for your phone than the water has done. Starch from rice can get trapped just as easily as water can in your device, blocking and clogging ports, or even water from exiting your phone.User error can go a long way with hacks at home, and we’d really prefer it if you didn’t cause more unnecessary damage to your device.
It’s a debate that even Apple and Samsung have provided better options or alternatives.
Instead, we recommend laying your device flat on a dry towel in a well-ventilated room.
If you’re interested in what Apple and Samsung have to say, you can read more by clicking this link.
Power Down to Conserve Energy
When tucked in your back pocket, if still on, your phone still generates substantial heat and performs background tasks. This can, if you’re outdoors for extended periods of time particularly in hot environments, cause overheating.
To mitigate overheating, close out unused browser tabs, close out of unnecessary applications and consider turning your device off. If a device feels noticeably hot to the touch, power it down until the device feels cooler.
