Smartphones, notebooks and tablets get warmer as they operate. You might think hot weather won’t make much difference to the devices, but in reality, ambient heat coupled with the operating temperature can easily cause damage.
For that reason, it’s important not to leave the devices in direct sunlight. Black devices are especially at risk, according to Germany’s Connect magazine.
The risk of damage can be reduced by leaving your smartphone in your pocket when you’re out and about, or covered with a towel when at the beach or pool, the experts say.
You shouldn’t leave devices in a car, because car interiors can become extremely hot on a sunny day. If you have no choice, the boot is the best location as it doesn’t get as hot as the passenger compartment.
Directly under the windscreen on the dashboard, it can get so hot that plastic can melt. That’s where most car navigation systems are mounted, so you should try to park in the shade — bearing in mind that the sun is moving.
If a device has accidentally overheated behind the windscreen or on a windowsill, it’s best to switch it off. Some mobile devices also shut themselves down when they reach a certain maximum temperature.
After that, slow cooling is needed — that means leaving the device at normal room temperature. Putting it in a refrigerator for a quicker cool down is not recommended.
That’s because damage can be caused if condensation forms due to excessive temperature differences, the experts say. – dpa
