You already know the basics – don’t drop your phone, don’t spill coffee on your laptop, and don’t string charging cables across a walkway. But even with these rules in mind, devices will still glitch, break, or stop working after an unexpected accident. For instance, this man managed to lose his phone out of a plane.
It’s not always big accidents that destroy devices. Often, the smallest overlooked risks can cause the most damage. From pets with the zoomies to babies who throw things, here’s a breakdown of the most common, yet unexpected ways your tech devices can get ruined.
- Different types of liquid spills
Not all liquid spills are equal, and some are worse than others. For instance, water is bad, but sugary drinks like soda or juice will dry sticky and cause more damage over time. Even after it dries, if you’re lucky to have a functional device, the stickiness will continue to attract dust and debris.
With that said, water still poses a big threat to your devices, whether it’s spilled from a cup or exposure from pouring rain. Water can fry the internal components in a smartphone, game console, laptop, and tablet, and all it takes is one drop.
Be careful with your devices and don’t set them down in areas prone to getting splashed with water, like bathrooms and kitchen sinks. Just washing your hands and dripping water across your device to grab a paper towel can do serious damage.
- Using a soft carrying case, but no hard protective case
It’s easy to pack your laptop or game console in a soft-sided bag to carry it around, but once you remove your device from the bag, if it’s not protected by its own durable case, you’re asking for trouble.
It’s crucial to put a shock-resistance case directly on your devices, whether it’s a game console, a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop. For instance, a Nintendo Switch 2 case will protect your console against shocks, drops, scratches, dust, and fingerprints while you play. A good case will be ergonomic and allow you to detach the Joy-Cons without having to remove the whole case.
Having a padded laptop bag is equally convenient, but once you take your laptop out of the bag, it’s vulnerable to damage. Don’t make the mistake of relying entirely on padded soft-side carrying cases. Always protect your devices with a hard shell case.
- Tripping over charging cables
Physical cables can be a huge trip hazard, and one accident can send your device flying. Depending on the connection, the force might break the cable, ruin the connector, or yank the plug out of the socket hard enough to bend the prongs. Repairs in this case can be costly.
The best way to avoid this potential damage is to create a designated charging space for your devices and ensure that all cords stay close to the wall. If your device doesn’t already have a magnetic connection, there are devices you can get that turn each connection magnetic, which can help you avoid a smashed device if someone, including a pet, runs through the cord.
- Pet damage
If you’re lucky, your pets won’t chew on your cords. However, many people come home from work and find their cords – and sometimes their devices – chewed up by their pets.
Dogs and cats can be harmed and possibly start a fire if the cable or device they chew is drawing power. The simplest solution is to get a braided cord cover for any cables you need to leave in their presence, and use bitter sprays to discourage them from attempting to chew.
If you have cats, you can bet money that at some point, any device you leave on a countertop or table will get swiped off. Cats love knocking items off counters for fun. If something is within their reach, it’s at risk. It’s best to keep all your devices secured.
- Emotional babies and toddlers
Many parents hand their babies and toddlers their tablet as a way to sooth a tantrum, but it doesn’t always work. Some kids will be entertained for a moment and then throw the device across the room. Others will be mesmerized by the device for a while until they get tired of it and just drop it on the floor. Young kids don’t know any better, and the unpredictability makes it a bad idea to give your child an unprotected device.
- Sunlight damage
Direct sunlight is powerful enough to cause a device to overheat fast, even indoors. An overheated device can slow down, become warped, and the battery life might become diminished. Never leave any device in the sun, whether it’s in your car, your backyard, or on the couch with the sun shining through the window.
- Rage
You might have your emotions under control, but that doesn’t mean your friends will if you allow them to use your device. For instance, gamer rage is real, and the last thing you want is a friend to smash your keyboard or throw your console across the room.
If you’re lucky, whatever they destroy will be cheap enough to replace. But if they smash something expensive, you could be out $500+.
- Cleaning the wrong way
Unfortunately, many people find out the hard way that glass cleaner can ruin a screen, whether it’s on a laptop or a game console. Alcohol, window cleaners, and miscellaneous household sprays (even Simple Green) can strip the protective coating from a screen and damage keyboards.
To clean your devices, use a dry microfiber cloth and compressed air. If you use a gentle spray, never spray your device directly.
- Dropping your device in the couch
It seems innocent, but if your device slips between the couch cushions, it’s going to get crushed when someone flops down. If your tech tends to fall out of your pockets, put your devices in a designated spot before you sit on the couch.
Awareness will prevent a lot of damage
Genuine accidents do happen, but awareness can help you avoid preventable accidents, like accidentally tossing your iPhone out of a second-story window while dancing. Whether it’s your phone, laptop, or a premium gaming console like the Nintendo Switch 2, the best protection begins with your awareness and is backed up by a physical case.
