How to keep your gadgets safe in Winter's chill

Among the devices most susceptible to the effects of cold are those frequently used, such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Low temperatures can lead not only to reduced performance but also potentially cause serious damage.

The least troublesome winter ailment is reduced efficiency of batteries and accumulators. Power supply issues in mobile devices can occur even in milder conditions and become particularly troublesome in combination with cold. However, more concerning are malfunctions resulting from stresses in electronic circuit components caused by temperature changes. Prolonged exposure to frost can render equipment entirely inoperative, and data on hard drives may be irretrievably lost.

The absolute worst solution for chilled equipment is warming it directly using a heat source like a radiator. Such a sudden temperature change almost always leads to scratches or cracks. When entering a warmer room, it is advisable to wait a few minutes before turning the cold device back on, allowing the equipment to acclimate to the surrounding temperature.

How can we address the issue of cold? First and foremost, it's important to use appropriate cases. Phones should be carried in the inner pockets of jackets. This is especially important for modern smartphones, which perform considerably worse in low temperatures compared to older models. For instance, an iPhone can stop working at just -6°C. Before entering a house, it is wise to place a camera in a sealed plastic bag to gradually restore its warmth.

Using ATMs in extreme cold can also present problems, where sometimes touch screens stop functioning and operating systems freeze. To avoid such issues, it's better to withdraw money from ATMs located in shopping centres.