The common tech user is connected to 13 networks, operates from 4 devices and invests a pretty penny into their gadgets. It would only make sense to protect and care for these investments. Our devices can be put at-risk by a drop or rise in the temperature, or a splash of water. Caring for our tech devices can take a bit of protection and a lot of mindfulness.
Extreme Cold Can Cause Tech Device Damage
When the temperature drops, your devices become vulnerable. A drop-in temperature can result in a frozen hard drive or damaged screen. In general, the safe zone for laptops and similar devices is 50F to 95F.
1. Keep your laptop and devices out of the trunk. If you often tote along your devices, this may help you out. On a cold day, the interior of your car is only 10F warmer than the outdoors, while the trunk is the coolest place in the car. Bring your devices inside with you.
2. Keep your devices as warm as you can. Bundle them up, if you must. Smaller devices, like phones or tablets, have trouble keeping retaining heat.
3. Power your devices off. When not in use, power your devices off to keep battery-power strong. The low temp drains batteries, faster.
4. Keep your chargers nearby. This goes together with the tip from above.
5. Protect your devices. Aside from bundling them to stay warm, we recommend outfitting your device in a protective case. A drop-in temperature makes a device screen more susceptible to cracking.
Extreme Heat Can Cause Tech Device Damage
Device batteries heat up fast. Keeping your devices cool is hard enough without intervention from mother nature. The climbing temperatures outside can have side effects on your devices causing your processor to slow down or device to restart. Don’t worry, we’ve got a few tips to keep your devices protected in the heat.
1. Don’t leave your devices in the car, especially in the trunk. Temperatures in a car can rise 40F within one hour.
2. Save your battery. The heat can drain your device battery. To combat this, make sure to power off your devices as often as you can permit. You can also adjust power-saving settings on your device. Turning off battery-draining apps are also a good preventative measure to take.
3. Ventilation. Most of our devices are covered in protective cases. These cases can accelerate the heating process. Try removing the protective case to allow for an air-flow. If you are using a laptop, think about investing in a laptop cooling pad. Also, make sure your air vents are clean.
Water Can Cause Tech Device Damage
While water damage is commonly associated with a warmer climate, tech owners should still be weary of possible water damage. Water damage can occur in unexpected ways: ice fishing, dish-washing, gardening, bathing toddlers or surprise pool party. In any case, it’s best to keep your devices protected near water. Here are a few products to keep your devices safe:
1. Leave your device at home. If possible, leave your devices at home. It’s best to be safe and leave unnecessary, expensive electronics at home, and away from water activities, if you can.
2. Get a waterproof case. If you must have your devices with you, outfit them properly with waterproof casing. You can find waterproof cases for your phone, tablet, and nearly every other device.
3. Get a waterproof bag (or a dry bag). For smaller devices, like phones, there are waterproof pouches that can be worn around the neck or carried like a purse.
For larger devices, like cameras or tablets, consider purchasing a dry bag. They come in an array of sizes, colors, brands and prices. An alternative option to the dry bag – perhaps not as mobile of an option – is the dry box. It can hold important documents, along with smaller devices.