The goal of most people when they purchase new electronics and isn’t necessarily to have them break down in a few months.
Yet, with all the things we do in our daily lives that could negatively affect these devices, it’s not surprising that we end up with faulty devices more “science and technology” often than we like to admit. If you want to know what the top ten things are that may be harming your gadgets and electronics, keep reading!
1) Don’t microwave your gadgets
Exposure to microwaves damages your gadgets, particularly GPS units.
- The improper use of microwaves can lead to electromagnetic radiation getting into your gadgets, which can then result in hardware damage.
- To avoid ruining your devices, microwave them only when absolutely necessary — and never for more than a minute or two at a time. It’s also a good idea to keep them as far away from microwaves as possible while they’re heating up food.
- If you must use your gadgets near a microwave, try to shield them with something reflective (like aluminum foil). Doing so will minimize their exposure. Do not store electronics outside: One of the most common things people do is leave their laptops outside on patios and decks during nice weather.
- While you may think leaving it outside is fine since you see no rain in sight (which would wreak havoc on sensitive computer components), many downpours happen without warning.
2) Don’t leave them plugged in
It’s always a good idea to fully unplug your electronics at night when you go to sleep. While it’s not harmful for your gadgets, there’s no reason to be using any more electricity than you have to.
In fact, over-charging your gadgets is bad for them -and if you accidentally leave them plugged in after they’re charged up, that can wear down their batteries and eventually render them useless. If a gadget is running out of juice while plugged in, try plugging it into another outlet to see if that makes a difference-or just buy an extension cord.
3) Use a screen protector
To extend your smartphone’s life, use a screen protector. These thin sheets of plastic prevent scratches by creating a barrier between your smartphone’s screen and any sharp objects that may be in your pocket or bag. For example, keys can wreak havoc on an unprotected iPhone display.
Screen protectors are widely available at stores like Best Buy; they cost around . Although they aren’t completely scratch-proof, screen protectors do make it more difficult for blemishes to get through to your device-and a small scratch here and there won’t make much of a difference over time anyway.
4) Store your electronics properly
Storing your electronics improperly can result in damage to your devices. A good way to avoid damaging your gadgets is by storing them properly. If you’re using a gadget, be sure that it’s well-ventilated. When not in use, turn gadgets off or set them on sleep mode. Avoid exposing electronic products to direct sunlight as much as possible; also, don’t leave electronic gadgets near heat sources or air conditioners because they might overheat or malfunction if exposed to temperatures outside of recommended levels.
5) Keep them charged
Charging your phone at night is a great way to keep it charged all day long, but if you sleep with your phone by your bedside, you could be putting it in danger.
- Your cell phone’s lithium-ion battery loves heat, so don’t put it underneath anything that might block its ability to breathe (like a mattress), advises Thomas W. Goodwin, Ph.D., who specializes in environmental chemistry at University of California Irvine School of Medicine.
- If you like to store your devices on AC outlets or USB ports near windows, consider purchasing an external charger for them; as batteries charge up, they give off more heat than when fully charged.
- Just make sure it’s not too hot to touch — that would suggest there’s an issue with overheating.
- If a device feels too warm when charging overnight or while left idle over a weekend, remove any cases or accessories that may obstruct ventilation slots around vents or fans inside those areas..
6) Use care when cleaning them
A lot of cleaning sprays can be harsh on electronic equipment. If you want to clean a piece of electronics, use only lukewarm water, along with a small amount of baking soda (it has anti-bacterial properties). Use Q-tips or a soft cloth to rub gently at any stains or dirt. Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as ammonia or rubbing alcohol-they may destroy your device.↚
7) Don’t use them in the bathroom
- Water, humidity, and moisture are not your gadgets’ best friends.
- If you must take a phone into your bathroom, place it on a counter or shelf above where water will come into contact with it. Sure, it might make for some awkward angles during your next group selfie — but a few inches could save you from that expensive repair bill.
- Similarly, don’t leave your devices in areas where they may get wet — like your kitchen sink — or let them get rained on! Water can short out electronic circuits and cause irreversible damage to devices like phones, tablets and laptops.
- When in doubt about what to do with a device when it’s raining outside? Keep it inside!
8) Don’t let kids play with your electronics unsupervised
Most of us have a good time watching our children play with our gadgets, but we may not realize how much damage they can do. The screens on today’s electronics are almost all made from glass, a hard material that can crack easily.
Even being dropped on something soft like carpet is enough to shatter it. To avoid that scenario, make sure your child plays only with electronics when you’re supervising them.
9) Shut down your devices properly
We’ve all been there: you get a notification that your device is running low on battery and you don’t want to risk being caught without a charge. So, instead of turning it off, we leave it on while charging overnight or while we step away from our desks for a short break.
Even though your phone or laptop may appear to be off, these devices are actually still drawing power as long as they’re plugged in — and sometimes even when they’re fully charged!
10) Charge properly and often
Batteries have come a long way in recent years, but that doesn’t mean we should skimp on taking care of them. Many gadgets now charge faster or wirelessly (and some even do both), but even so, batteries can wear out if they aren’t properly cared for. Make sure you charge your devices every night, rather than just plugging them in as needed-it will keep you from having to rush with a dead device later in the day when you’re used to charging it during your lunch break. It may also save your battery from dying too quickly.
SOURCE : Yasoquiz
Originally published at https://www.yasoquiz.com on January 14, 2022.
