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Water hazard
First aid for wet electronic devices.
by Ward Lowe You’d never intentionally dunk your cell phone in a cup of coffee, but have you ever spilled a little java on it while you were driving? Or splattered some soda on your laptop?
You don’t have to be a klutz to get your electronic devices wet. A poorly timed dash from your car to your house during a thunderstorm can accomplish the feat as well.
Liquids contain minerals that will corrode the internal components of electronic devices. Even if the phone or PDA is exposed to water for only a brief time or you only press the buttons with a wet finger, that exposure increases the risk of future corrosion. If you find yourself frequently worried about getting a device wet, consider buying a protective case. You should already keep your laptop in a case; laptops tend to be more sensitive to wetness than handheld devices.
Insurance and extended warranties represent another option for protecting your devices. Many cell-phone manufacturers and even some carriers offer insurance, usually for a monthly fee (around $5) with a $25-$35 deductible—and a very long list of repairs and damages not covered.
Some PDA manufacturers, such as Palm, offer extended warranties instead with similar fee structures and exclusions. Both types of programs often limit you to two claims per year. Check with your wireless carrier or device’s manufacturer for details.
However, if you do drown your cell phone in a puddle or spill a drink on your keyboard, there are some ground rules you should follow. These suggestions don’t guarantee that your device will work again—there’s no magic formula—but following them might increase the chances of recovery.
Don’t try to use it. You may think that placing a call on your recently drowned cell phone is “testing” it, but you may be “ruining” it instead. Don’t type on a wet keyboard either—even to shut down the computer. If the device is off, leave it off.
Remove the power source. Remove the device’s battery or unplug it from its power source. If only the keyboard of your PC was affected, use the mouse to turn off the computer and unplug the keyboard from the PC.
Get rid of excess water. Drain any remaining liquid from the device. If you dropped the device in anything other than water, clean off its exterior with a clean cloth dipped in clean water.
Dry it off. Use a towel to dry off the exterior and any parts you can reach and let the device air dry. A hair dryer can expedite the process, but use a setting that blows air without heat.
Consider these steps emergency first aid for your electronic device. Once you get it dry, seek professional help from an electronics store or your device’s manufacturer.
Photo © Mark Cass.
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