Common sense and a basic understanding of how electrical currents operate and react to contact with water dictate that we should never, under any circumstances, use our electrical devices while we’re surrounded by water or any other liquid. While it’s true that most modern devices are equipped with waterproof capabilities, that doesn’t mean that it’s safe by any means to submerge them entirely in water or that they should be used in wet areas while they’re plugged into an electric outlet charging. Unfortunately, in the past year there have been at least two internationally reported cases in which people have succumbed to electrocution as a direct result of using their cellphones while they were charging in the bathtub. Of course, these tragedies were completely avoidable and should never have happened in the first place. However, in the age of constantly evolving technology and the diminishing quality of education, it’s important to continually raise awareness of the dangers of using cellular devices in the bathtub while they’re plugged into an electrical outlet. With that in mind, here are a few essential cellphone charging safety tips that could help save lives.
Avoid Charging Your Phone in Wet Areas
For starters, you should try to avoid using your cellphone or any other electronic device while you’re in the shower or taking a bath at all costs. It’s simply a recipe for disaster. The moisture buildup and condensation in your bathroom can cause severe residual and internal damage to your device which will accelerate the speed with which its functionality deteriorates over time. As it stands, your device isn’t constructed to last more than a year or two at the most, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep it operating smoothly for as long as possible without the added risk of having it malfunction.
Don’t Use Cheap Low-Quality Chargers
Pro tip: if you have to plug your device into a wall outlet to charge, make sure you use the original charger that came with it. These chargers were made by the same manufacturer and were specifically designed for the exact make and model of your device, which means they’re typically the most compatible. This also lowers the risk of overheating the device while it’s charging, especially if you have to leave it plugged in overnight. Off-brand chargers are usually poorly designed and manufactured in cheap factories with few health and safety regulations, which means they may contain materials that are unsafe for long-term use.
Use a Portable Charger Instead
Universal portable chargers with multiple USB ports are a safe alternative for those times when you forget your phone charger at home or don’t have it on-hand. These chargers are also useful when you’re in a group setting and need to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Since multi-port portable chargers use a much lower electrical current than a wall outlet, they’re infinitely safer to use even in damp conditions, although it’s still not recommended to do so.
Ohming Technology has a widespread selection of universal portable chargers that are fully compatible with all device makes and models. The Charging Caddy and the Charge M.E. are designed and constructed with all types of modern and first-generation technology in mind including cellphones, wireless headphones, e-readers, laptops, and tablets. To learn more about our products, please contact us or shop online.
Paul Romanenko
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