Consumer Reports: Tips To Protect Electronics On Vacation
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - When you head to the beach this summer, chances are you'll be packing a lot of electronics.
A Consumer Reports survey found 94 percent of us don't leave home without at least one device and vacationers take along three on average.
There are so many devices to bring on vacation - smartphones, tablets, e-readers, laptops, GPS devices, cameras, iPod, speakers, etc.
They practically need their own suitcase. But, if you are thinking of checking them as baggage, think again.
"Nearly ten percent of people in our survey reported damage to a laptop tablet, or digital camera that was in a checked bag," Glenn Derene from Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports recommends carrying on your electronics instead and if possible, use a padded bag.
If you must check your devices, wrap them in soft clothing.
About ten percent of survey respondents said their device got wet on vacation and 19 percent said sand or dirt was a problem.
"Obviously, be careful. But if you're looking for a simple and cheap way to protect your electronics from sea and sand, use a zippered food storage bag. They're just as effective as pricey waterproof cases. And you can even use your touch screen through them," Derene said.
Another common complaint from about half of those in the Consumer Reports survey were batteries dying.
"Conserve power by lowering the screen brightness on your phone or tablet and reduce text and e-mail updates to once every half-hour," Derene said.
If there are no bars, just turn everything off or set your device to airplane mode. There's no sense in burning through battery life trying to connect to non-existent service.
The ultimate protection is to just leave some electronics at home.
In fact, nearly a third in Consumer Reports' survey said they'd prefer their kids didn't bring along any gadgets on vacation.
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