It’s that time of year again, temperatures are rising, and electronics are at risk of heat damage. It’s easy to assume that electronics are more durable when you can’t see the damage, but just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. When we think of damaged electronics, we typically think of shattered screens or water damage, perhaps a few scratches, but internal damage can sometimes be more dangerous than external damage, and it’s important to keep your gadgets protected this summer as temperatures begin to rise.
We’ve all done it, run off and left our phones in the car. Sometimes, this isn’t a big deal, but summer heat can damage electronics faster than you might think. Have you ever experienced the warmth of an electronic slowly getting hotter in your hands the longer it’s in use? This occurs when the battery heats up. Most electronics today are manufactured with Lithium-Ion batteries, which run the risk of causing fires when they get too hot or damaged.
For this reason, proper storage in extreme temperatures could be the difference between protected electronics and a house fire. This is not the time of year to leave your phone in the sun. Even a few hours in a window with direct sunlight can cause the metals in the device to heat, leading to battery damage. It’s normal for phones to warm slightly when in use, but if your phone starts getting too warm, turn it off and give it time to cool down before using it again.
Laptops are designed with vents, usually located on the sides or the bottom, that allow heat to escape to keep the device cool. Airflow is extremely important, and blocking any of these vents for an extended period will prevent the heat from being released and cause the laptop to overheat. One obvious sign of overheating is a swollen or bowed keyboard.
Keeping electronics clean can also help prevent any ports or vents from becoming clogged with dust, hair, or other stray particles that might prevent airflow. When storing electronic devices, try not to stack them, as stacking conducts higher temperatures. Additionally, if a battery is damaged and catches fire, it could start a chain reaction and ignite every other battery around it. Try to store devices in cool, dry areas and do not leave them near windows in direct sunlight.
If you notice your phone or laptop is swollen due to battery overheating, do not try to remove the battery yourself. Lithium-ion batteries are hazardous and should be handled by professionals.
IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI are trained in battery removal and will dispose of the battery in a safe, environmentally friendly manner. With more than 30 years in the industry, HOBI is a premier IT asset management and disposition enterprise focused on mitigating environmental liability via electronic recycling.
For more information about our ITAD services call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.