WIREGRASS: Our Smartphones Hold Our Lives — So Charge Them Right!
Think about it. Our phones hold our pictures, memories, contacts, messages, banking information, passwords, calendars, and so much more. In many ways, they’re like a little filing cabinet for our entire lives that fits in our pockets!
But how we charge our phones matters, too. Here are a few simple ways to help protect your phone’s battery and keep it working longer.
Charging your phone the right way lowers the risk of fire and helps the battery last longer.
Start with the right gear. Use the original charger and cable, or ones certified by a group such as UL, CE or FCC. Cheap knockoffs can overheat.
Pick a safe spot. Charge your phone on a hard, flat surface like a table or desk. Beds, couches and pillows trap heat and should be avoided. Keep the phone out of direct sunlight and hot cars, and away from other heat sources.
Check your cables. Look for frayed wires, bent pins or loose connections. If a cord is damaged, replace it right away.
Don’t leave it plugged in forever. Try not to charge overnight or leave the phone unattended for long stretches.
Protect the battery. Experts suggest keeping the charge between 20 and 80 percent, rather than letting it hit 0 percent or sit at 100 percent all the time. Many iPhone and Samsung models have a setting that caps charging at 80 percent. Also avoid gaming, streaming video or running heavy apps while charging, since that can cause overheating.
Charging takes only a few minutes of thought. Those minutes can protect your phone, your home and your safety.
Charge it wisely. Protect your battery. And please, back up those pictures! Because a dead battery is inconvenient, but losing years of irreplaceable memories can be heartbreaking.
