How Your Family Can Protect Your Electronics This Summer

Summer is going strong. The temperatures are high and steady, and your body is hot and sweaty. Afternoon storms present spectacular light shows – and irritating power outages. Summer heat and storms can wreak havoc on your electronics. Are you keeping your computers and other devices cool and safe? Here are six ways you and your family can protect your electronics this summer.

1. Computer Location

Location is everything – in housing and computers. Be mindful of where you store and use your computer. Keep your device away from direct sunlight, and never cover the fans or vents. Teach your kids not to set toys or items that cover them as well. Leave at least two inches of room around your computer for air to flow. Find another place to stack those papers by your computer. Server racks and computer stands enable better airflow. When using a laptop, avoid working on soft surfaces like a bed or lap. If your child has their own laptop, make sure that they are not leaving it on the floor or outdoors.

2. Device Protection

During the dog days of summer, keep the heat outside. According to this article, computers like a room temperature of 72 degrees. In hot rooms, cool air cannot get into a computer to keep it from overheating. For more protection, install a smart thermostat that monitors the room temperature. By catching a problem early, you could save hundreds of dollars on HVAC and electronics repairs.

3. Storage Cases

Consider your device storage cases. In the same way black clothes and black cars attract more sun, so do black storage cases. That said, there is no need to buy a new case for your phone or tablet. Instead, get a phone sleeve or cover made of neoprene foam rubber. There are storage cases that you can buy for your children’s devices as well. Teach them the importance of storing them properly. Not only will it protect your device from clumsiness, but it will also keep it cooler than most plastics.

4. Expert Help

If the heat or storms are causing headaches for you and your family, it might be time for experts. Smartphones are typically the most likely family electronics to break or become damaged due to the high daily usage. Try to find a company that provides iPhone repair in Houston or your particular locale in order to fix these problems as soon as possible. You can also find experts who offer remote monitoring and provide disaster recovery, if needed. And, to reduce the need for onsite equipment, consider cloud computing. By storing your data in the cloud, you lessen the risk of losing everything when the power goes out.

5. Internal Fans

Graphics cards and other components generate a lot of heat in a computer or gaming console. Clean the inside of your devices at least once a year, paying special attention to internal fans. All you need is a small brush and a can of compressed air. If your computer needs increased cooling, add a case fan to the device or upgrade to a more efficient fan. To improve laptop performance, use an elevated cooling pad.

6. Power Management

Developing a few habits can help protect your electronics this summer. For example, shut down your computer at the end of the day. This allows the system to cool and protects against storm-related power surges. Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) and surge protectors are important for power management. Use a UPS with your server and other key devices. For less critical equipment, surge protectors are usually enough. When using a laptop, shut it down before storing it in a case. Computers heat up fast when there is no ventilation. And, unplug the charger when the battery is completely charged. Otherwise, the flow of electricity could damage the battery and computer.

7. Keep Devices Indoors

With the amount of devices in a typical family’s home, it is easy for devices to end up outdoors. They are then easily forgotten and can be damaged by sprinklers, a storm, or your pet. It is especially important to teach your kids not to play with any electronic devices in or around a family pool. Your children might accidentally let a device drop into the water and then you are potentially out hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Do not assume your electronics are safe from heat damage because they are inside your home. Establish habits with your family to protect your devices, especially during the summer. These tips can be a starting point to help.