A mobile phone, cordless phone, iPod, PSP or similar handy devices can sometimes accidentally land in water or otherwise get wet. Or you can spill your coffee on your computer keyboard. But don't panic, there is still hope. With the right care, you can often still save your electrical devices.

 

Of course, you should remove the device from the water as quickly as possible, but then proceed calmly and objectively to prevent the sensitive electronics from being destroyed. The first thing to do is to switch off the appliance immediately or remove it from the cable if it is in use. Electronic devices usually break when they are damp and are put into operation. This causes short circuits that destroy the mechanism.

The appliance should be removed from the water immediately and wrapped in absorbent material such as kitchen paper, absorbent cloths or a handkerchief. Wrap the appliance completely until as much of the water on the outer casing as possible has been absorbed.

Once the outside of the appliance is completely dry, the batteries should be removed and dried separately. Thoroughly dab the battery compartment with kitchen paper until no more moisture is visible. Pay particular attention to the contacts.

If there is a possibility that water has got inside the appliance, you should quickly consider whether you can open the appliance yourself without damaging it. Some devices have a rubber seal that prevents rapid penetration in the event of brief contact with water. If this is not the case or you have doubts, the device should be opened. The inside of the appliance should be carefully dabbed again with kitchen paper to absorb moisture. Then comes the most important step: the appliance must be placed in a warm (not hot) place where plenty of air can reach it. In summer the appliance should be placed in the sun, in winter it can be placed in the oven for half an hour to an hour at very low heat (20 degrees). Under no circumstances should it be placed in the microwave!

It is important that the appliance is completely dry. To be on the safe side, it should be allowed to dry for three full days before being switched on again.

It is not always possible to save an electronic device that has become wet, but if not too much moisture has got inside and the contacts have not rusted, it can function as usual again once it is completely dry.