Five basic mistakes we make that will shorten the life of our expensive devices
Tech experts have revealed basic mistakes that can seriously shorten the lifespan of electronic devices - and we can guarantee you've done at least one of them.
Though it seems like our gadgets can do almost anything these days, they do require some basic TLC, and there are a few things that are guaranteed to cause problems if you aren't careful.
Many of the things we can do to look after them however are actually very simple, and require only a few small changes of habit in your day-to-day life.
Here are the five most common errors and how to avoid them:
Don't leave your phone on charge too long after it's reached 100% (Getty Images)Leaving your devices plugged in
Leaving your devices plugged in once they have already reached 100% is a massive no-no and one of most common errors committed by tech owners.
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While it's a good idea to keep sure your phone or laptop's battery at a decent level throughout the day, leaving them on charge for too long is advised against by all major electronics brands and can severely reduce battery life.
Warning of the impact on iPhones, Apple says on their website: "When they remain at full charge for prolonged periods of time, battery health can be affected."
Sony also says of its Xperia mobiles phones that "if you leave your device charging for a long time after reaching 100%, it might reduce battery performance".
Instead, it's a better idea to keep checking your phone while it's on charge and take it off as soon as it's at 100%.
Phones and laptops need to be looked after, so don't let them get too hot or too cold (Getty Images/Image Source)Letting your gadgets get dirty
Too much dirt and grime on your devices is not only unsightly, but it can also affect their performance.
Build-ups of dust particles in charging ports and laptop air fans can sneak inside and cause serious problems with the working parts of the gadgets.
Though it may be tempting to slip in a cotton ear bud to try and get the gunk out, this can also run the risk of accidental damage - so it's a far better idea to use a can of compressed air to clean these delicate spaces.
Your phone or laptop runs out of battery all the time
While keeping your phone or laptop at full charge all the time is a bad idea, so is letting your device run out constantly, as it can cause long-term damage the battery.
Instead, try and keep it at a 'perfect medium' of between 30%-80% charge as much as you can.
Make sure your Wifi password is safe (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Too much sun for your phone - or too much cold
When you're sitting in the sun for extended periods of time on holiday or out in the garden, you should consider whether your device is at risk of overheating.
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Extreme temperatures can cause permanent damage to your technology - and iPhones, Androids, laptops, and tablets need to be taken care of in hot or cold weather.
Make sure you leave your phone in a cool and shady spot, because otherwise it may overheat. If you're sunbathing, tuck it under your towel.
Mobile phone experts warn specifically about leaving your device in a hot car, and Uswitch warns: "Leaving one of your gadgets in a car is another surefire way to get it seriously overheated,"
An unsafe Wifi connection
Watch out - your home may be your castle, but that doesn't stop people nearby from invading your Wifi if your security is weak.
If you've never changed your Wifi router's password since you installed it in your home, it could still be the same as the default settings, and that means anyone could be able to log on to your 'private' network with a simple bit of guesswork.
Thankfully it's very easy to change to your password to stop this from happening, and a setup guide from your broadband provider or a quick call to customer services will help guide you through the simple process.
When you're out and about you should also avoid accessing websites where you store sensitive information, such as online banking, on public Wifi networks - as these can be vulnerable to people stealing your info.
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