Hot weather can quickly cause your smartphone to overheat. — AFP Relaxnews
Between the heat, the sand, and pool or seawater, summer can be a hazardous time for smartphones. However, a little extra care can help make sure yours survives the season in one piece.
Beware of the sun
In warm weather, your smartphone can heat up to dangerous levels. To avoid the risk of overheating, which could damage the device, it's essential to avoid exposing your smartphone to too much sunlight. To cool it down quickly, simply place it in the shade, or in a cool place, for a few minutes, and momentarily remove its protective cover or case. You could also place it near a fan, but never in the refrigerator. In the car, when it's hot, place your phone in the glove compartment rather than on a seat or near the windshield.
As a general rule, it's best to switch off WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS when you don't need them, so as not to overheat the battery. If this doesn't work, simply switch your smartphone off and on again a few minutes later, and it should return to a normal temperature. Fortunately, most models now switch off automatically when they exceed a certain temperature. Finally, it's a good idea to choose a shady spot in which to recharge your smartphone.
Smartphones and sand
It's probably best to avoid using your smartphone at the beach. Sand is a risk for many reasons. Large grains can scratch the screen quite easily, while smaller ones can get into the ports and cause damage to the inside of the device itself. Before taking your smartphone on vacation, remember to equip it with a case and a protective film on the display. When you're not using it, place it in a waterproof pouch, such as a zip-lock freezer bag. If your smartphone comes into contact with sand or seawater, wipe it carefully with clean water and a soft cloth.
Water risks
Finally, if your phone falls into the water, don't try to dry it out by putting in rice. As with sand, small particles could get into the device and damage it internally. In fact, it's better to switch off the device immediately, then place it in a dry, well-ventilated area. You can then start tapping it gently, with the connector at the bottom, to get out most of the water.
You can also wipe it with a paper towel or soft cloth, taking care not to insert any foreign objects (tissue, cloth, etc) into the connectors. Under no circumstances should you use a hairdryer or microwave oven to remove the last traces of moisture. – AFP Relaxnews
