5 Ways to Help Your Electronics Beat the Heat This Summer

Summer is finally here! School’s out, days are long, and memories are being made (and stored on your phone’s Camera Roll). But as the days get warmer, it’s important to the working condition of your computers, phones, and other portable electronic devices that they remain as cool as you feel after a dip in the pool.

If you want to make sure you’re able to Instagram those 4^th of July fireworks, keep these five tips in mind as you go through the summer months.

1. Backup Your Data

Dropping your phone in the pool or leaving your Kindle at the beach is costly and painful, but not as costly and painful as losing your irreplaceable photos and documents. To avoid that, make sure your data and devices are backed up regularly with a verified backup service provider like IDrive, Backblaze, or Carbonite. A damaged device can be replaced, but your data could be lost forever unless you back it up!

2. Allow for Airflow

Your devices like a nice breeze as much as you do- so give them some breathing room! Most computers, printers, game consoles, etc. have fans and vents clearly located on the back or side. Make sure these are free of blockages and have ample room around them (about 2-4 inches) so as not to obstruct the flow of air into and out of your device.

3. No Sun

Never place your computer, phone, or other electronics under direct sunlight for an extended period of time, since the sun can cause heat damage, damage to your screens, and melting. It’s best to store your electronics in a cool place, like near a fan or air conditioner. And never leave your electronics in your car- your iPhone can’t use sunscreen!

4. Don’t Stack

Electronics get hot enough on their own during the summer. Stacking them on top of each other produces heat, which can transfer between devices and cause things to get dangerously toasty. We want to roast mashmallows during the summer, not important data, so keep your devices spread out and use shelves for device storage!

5. In an Emergency, Shut it Down

If one of your devices begins to overheat and malfunction, immediately shut it down and (if possible) disconnect its power supply. Taking steps to cool down your device can help prevent damage and data loss, so it’s important to let your overheating gadget sit until it is no longer hot to the touch. It will then be safe to power up again.

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Stay safe, stay smart!