Whether you were taking a photo by the pool or quickly checking a text message by the kitchen sink, if you’ve accidentally dropped your iPhone^®, don’t panic. If you’re quick, you may be able to get it dry before any damage is done. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that apply to most Apple^® products.

Do:

Take it to a professional.

Professional computer repair shops have the tools and equipment to safely open up and dry all of the components of your iPhone. Unlike other brands, Apple products aren’t designed to be easily taken apart and modified, so it can be difficult to dry up any water that could have slipped inside.  

Turn it off.

Even though you may want to see whether everything still works, don’t keep playing around with your phone. In fact, the dangerous combination of electricity and water is often what causes the damage, as it can make the whole device short-circuit. You should also avoid the temptation to charge an Apple product after dropping it in water; it’s the same problem since electrical energy will continue to flow. Instead, just turn it off, wipe off what you can, wrap it in a towel, and leave it alone until a professional can look at it.

Don’t:

Put it in bag rice.

Although there is some truth to this, uncooked rice isn’t significantly more absorbent than a good towel. Furthermore, the small, pulverized pieces can clog up the ports and seams of the phone. Instead of rice, if you have silica packets lying around, they're a much better option. They can usually be found in packaging for everything from electronics to food, so if you or your kids are prone to spills, they’re worth holding onto. While they’re no substitute for professional care, they work better than towels.

Use a hairdryer.

Although the hot air works on hair, the electronics of an iPhone are much more sensitive to the heat. As for the coolest setting, even though the temperature is gentle enough, you’re only just blowing the water around the device; it won’t evaporate.

If you’re in the Stark County, OH, area and have accidentally submerged your iPhone in water, stop by Experimac Canton OH. They’re the region’s trusted specialists for Apple repairs, so you can trust they’ll do what’s possible to save your device. To schedule a repair appointment, call them today at (330) 409-7005. If your device is damaged, they also have an excellent selection of certified pre-owned Apple products for purchase, which you can preview online.