How to beach proof your phone now, or react in an emergency later....

Holiday season is here and you'll want to take your phone along, heres some handy tips on how to beach/pool proof your phone ready for those summer holidays.....

Beat that heat !

On a hot day, the sun beats down from above and the sand radiates warmth from below. Leave your phone exposed, and this heat can crack its screen, drain its battery, or even make it explode. To protect your device, keep it out of direct sunlight and off the ground. For example, you might place it on a towel and fold a corner of the fabric over the phone, toss a t-shirt on top, or keep it in your beach bag.

Activity can make your phone produce its own heat. Keep it quiet by shutting down power-hungry apps such as mobile games. If you receive a heat warning (or simply notice your phone getting too hot) try turning off location, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi; putting your device in airplane mode; or even shutting it down until it cools off.

IN AN EMERGENCY - In a real problem - like when the iPhone goes into "too hot mode" you can place your phone in a cooler (provided the cooler has a dry area or the phone is wrapped in a waterproof case) for a few minutes. Don't leave it in there for too long though—while too much heat may harm your device, too much cold can kill it too.

Keep sand out !

Sand always manages to sneak into every available nook and cranny, and your phone isn't immune to this either. It's best to keep the little grains at bay with dust plugs, or you can grab an old cable, cut off the part that plugs into your phone, and use that as a DIY solution. This works so much better than leaving it open.

Even if sand stays out of your phone's ports, it can still scratch up the screen and creep around the edges of buttons. Luckily, most waterproofing solutions (more on those in a minute) involve wrapping your phone in an impermeable case, which should also keep out sand.

IN AN EMERGENCY - If worse comes to worst and some sand sneaks into your phone, let gravity help you shake it out. If a few stubborn grains stick around, try drawing them out with a cheap plastic cuticle pusher or cotton bud.

Don't get it wet !

Salty seawater accelerates corrosion more than relatively clean tap water. So, even if you have a waterproof phone, you don't want a wave to hit it.

The easiest, cheapest way to protect your phone from wayward splashes is a humble Ziplock bag. Toss your phone in, squeeze out as much air as possible, and seal the zipper shut. Water and sand won't get in, and the plastic is so thin that you can actually use the device through the bag. Its fingerprint sensor may not work, but once you type in your PIN or password, you can swipe, type, and even chat on the phone without exposing it to the elements. This hack has the added benefit of keeping the screen safe from your smeary sunblock- and salt-covered fingers.

If you want to level up, invest in a waterproof case. From the one-size-fits-all DryCase to more structured options like LifeProof, you can find your phone an ideal beach buddy. Just check the specs before purchasing to make sure that the case will protect your ports from sand as well as water.

IN AN EMERGENCY - the old bag of rice trick works - so get it in their for at least 48 hours to try and combat the liquid.

Now you're all set. Go enjoy your holiday !

If you have made a mistake like those above or need some more advice on tariffs or the like before you go please drop me a line on 0151 556 1898 or my email [email protected] or check out our website.

Have an awesome holiday !