Most people use their electronic devices throughout the day, including in the car. While it isn’t safe to use some apps while driving, you can certainly play music or use navigation without becoming distracted. Check out these tips to properly use devices in a car and what to do with them when you arrive at your destination.

 

Use Proper Cables and Equipment

When you plug your device into a cable or charging pack that isn’t compatible, you may notice that a warning appears on the screen. Instead of trying to let it charge anyway, it’s best to buy a new cable or other piece of equipment that is designed for use with your phone, laptop, or tablet. You could be using something that charges too fast, which can burn out your battery. It may not cause significant damage, but it’s not worth the risk.

 

Consider the Weather

During certain times of the year, leaving devices in the car isn’t a major problem. The issues come as a result of extreme temperatures. When it’s too hot outside, the high temperatures can fry the processor within your phone, tablet, or laptop. It can also decrease the battery life and even expand the hard drive of a laptop, causing it to malfunction. In areas with high levels of humidity during the summer months, condensation can build up inside your device. When it’s 90 degrees or hotter outside, keep your devices out of the car when it’s not running.

On the flip side, extremely cold temperatures can also damage your stuff. If you leave your phone or other device in the car when it’s 32 degrees or lower outside, you may come back to find that the LCD screen is dead or the battery is no longer charged. Your first instinct might be to warm it up in your home or office, but the sudden change can also lead to a buildup of condensation on the battery or within the device, leading to further damage.

Let the Temperature Change Slowly

If you do accidentally leave one of your devices in the car and it gets too hot or cold, resist the urge to immediately get it back to a normal temperature. Instead, allow it to slowly warm up or cool off to prevent condensation from building up within its components, as this can be detrimental to any type of electronic device.

Never Leave Them in Plain Sight

While the weather can certainly impact your device, the biggest risk that comes along with leaving devices in your car is theft. If someone walking by sees a smartphone, laptop, and/or tablet within plain view, that can be a very tempting situation. It’s not hard to break a window or use a screwdriver to open the door, so protect your devices by always keeping them out of sight.

You probably invested a good chunk of change into your electronic devices, so keep them safe by taking them with you from the car and avoiding situations where they will get too hot or cold.