GUARD YOUR GADGETS THIS WINTER! D

Cold conditions can cripple your electronics, draining the battery, causing condensation and even cracking the screen. But there are some simple ways to avoid such problems...

on’t isolate your electronics. Storing your phone in your pocket instead of in your pack will help it battle the cold. Snuggle up at night. Keep your device in your sleeping bag, where it will benefit from the heat that builds up. Otherwise it could be flat by morning.

Invest in a Bluetooth ear-bud. A handsfree device will allow you to keep your phone in your pocket while having a conversation, thereby shielding it from the elements.

Turn it off. If you aren’t using a gadget while out in the cold, power down. Not only will this preserve your battery, it will help prevent condensation from forming.

Invest in a case. Cases are predominantly used to keep devices like phones waterproof and protect them from dirt, but they will also keep them warm. Plus, being waterproof is especially important in cold weather, as water freezing inside a GPS unit could be disastrous.

Specifically, use a Salt Case. This company claims to base its material on the technology for thermally protective materials used by NASA. The case refracts heat from the phone to keep it warm.

The case will also stop devices becoming brittle in cold weather, and the added layer will absorb impact from any falls or shocks. If your device does absorb any moisture,

make sure you know what to do. First off, turn it off. Active gadgets and water do not mix well; make sure you remove the battery until it is dry. Don’t attempt to use a hair-dryer on it, as you will more than likely fry the components. Instead, wait until the device is at room temperature then cover it in (uncooked!) rice; this will absorb the moisture inside and, hopefully, restore it to full function. Keep a back-up power source handy.

Your device will run out of power faster in cold weather, so make sure you have an alternative means of power, or a charger, in case it conks out on you. Be aware that damage can occur as you return from cold temperatures to the warmth of a building. Moving from cold, dry air to warm, moist air can create condensation and be fatal for electronics. To avoid this, keep your gadget in an airtight bag. The device will then be exposed to the new temperature gradually, as the air in the bag heats up, keeping it alive.