If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to drop your cell phone into water, take some solace in knowing you’re not alone.
Dropping a cell phone into the swimming pool, bathtub or toilet is such a common occurrence that some cell phone manufacturers include a sensor that will detect if it’s been submerged in water, so users can’t return them saying they are defective.
If it happens to you, it’s important to act quickly. First, don’t turn the phone on until it has been completely dried out or you’ll probably end up shorting out some circuits. Cell phone repair services recommend taking out the battery right away and wiping it off.
Shake out any excess moisture from the phone. Unfasten the screws and open up the device. Then use an electrical-contact cleaning spray or rubbing alcohol to remove corrosive moisture. When you think it’s completely dry, wait another day before turning it on.
There are a number of recommended drying techniques, but the key to all of them is to dry the phone as soon as possible.
One proven phone-drying method is to use a hair dryer set on cool. You don’t want to use high heat – that could cause even more damage to the phone.
Another method is to seal the phone in a jar with uncooked rice. The rice absorbs the moisture, but it does take a few days.
Most important: Make sure you always back up your smart phone! Most cell phone providers offer this service, and many phones come with software you can load on your computer to perform a backup using a USB cable.