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Our phones have become the most indispensable thing in our lives, used everywhere, even in unique places that are supposed to help us relax and be healthier. Knowing the benefits of sauna usage —for the health by improving circulation, cleansing the body’s waste, and relaxing tension in the body, many people tempt their phones while in the sauna to listen to music, take apps, or stay connected. However, such a thing makes people raise questions regarding safety and the risks that can occur with our gadgets. By scrutinizing these concerns, users will be in a better position to decide whether to take their phones to these places or not.
In This Post:
What May Happen If You Take Your Phone with You Into The Sauna?
Heat Stress
It is the part of a cell phone that is most vulnerable to being hacked and is the first to be affected. The internal circuitry means to work within a specific range of temperatures. Such high temperatures, as those in the sauna, can cause overheating of the processor or the battery, leading to malfunction. The joints in the soldering can loosen, the circuits can warp, and the device can be rendered useless.
Water and Humidity
Sauna is known for the amount of water vapor it contains; this has an adverse effect on mobile phones. Water can find its way into the phone through different small openings and cause damage to the internal devices. Water can even render a water-resistant phone useless if it is let inside it for a long time and the steam keeps coming. The protective seals will be weakened in the process, and the phone may get water-damaged.
Battery and Performance Issues
A mobile phone battery is an enemy of extremely high temperatures. High temperatures can make the battery swell up, leading to leakage and, worse still, an explosion. Moreover, excessive heat will start reducing the battery’s capacity to hold a charge; performance issues will be reported, including hanging and an overall reduction in efficiency.
Safety Issues
Using a mobile phone in a sauna is not only risky to the device but also to the user. Cell phone that could be too hot can burn you or even catch on fire if the battery gets too hot.
What Happens to The Electronics Inside Saunas?
Electronic devices do not work well in saunas. The high temperature and high humidity within a sauna are beyond the limits for smartphones and other kinds of electronic devices to work with.
Thermal and Humidity Impact on Electronics
Devices are constructed with components having specific thermal tolerances. In a sauna, temperatures can reach 150°F or more. Such heat causes thermal expansion, which warps the device’s structure and damages the internal circuitry. Humidity introduces moisture, which can cause short circuits, corrosion, and other kinds of water damage.
Specific Components Vulnerable to Damage
- Processor and circuitry: sensitive to temperature fluctuations, can be destructively affected by overheating or not working at all.
- Battery: Lithium-ion batteries used in most smartphones don’t do well with overheating and can make them swell, leak, or even explode.
- Screen: This may result in the development of dead pixels or the inability to respond due to heat and moisture.
- Seals and adhesives: The glue and seals that keep your phone waterproof can denature through prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity, reducing their effectiveness.
Be aware of the dangers and how saunas affect electronics so that you can decide whether you should use your phone in that setting.
How to Keep Your Phone Safe in the Sauna?
- Leak-proof cases: Invest in a good waterproof case that may provide additional heat or water protection. These cases can be entirely placed on top of a phone to block steam or humidity from getting to the device.
- Heat-resistant hats: Not commonly used, but one can ensure this cover keeps the phone safe from the sauna heat. These covers help insulate a device from overheating.
- Moisture-absorbing bags: Place silica gel packs or moisture-absorbing bags inside the case to help prevent your phone from getting wet.
Recommended Limits of Use
- A few minutes: You should only allow your phone to stay in the sauna for a few minutes. Tech experts like Marques Brownlee have advised that contact times need to be shortened to reduce the risk of damage from heat and moisture. One should not use his phone while in the sauna at all.
- Temperature watch: Keep checking the temperature of the sauna to ensure it is not exceeding the recommended temperature of your device. If the sauna gets too hot, it’s better to keep your phone outside. Popular tech review sites like CNET suggest monitoring the sauna temperature closely.
- Frequent checks: Periodically check your phone for signs of overheating or moisture buildup. Remove your phone immediately if you notice any problem. Tech influencers like Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips consider it very important to make frequent device checks in extreme conditions.
Other Things You Can Do Inside a Sauna Without Your Phone
- Waterproof speakers: You don’t need to bring your phone into the sauna if you use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker instead. They will be outside the sauna and stream your music or relaxing apps from afar.
- Sauna-friendly gadgets: Some gadgets are designed for use in high-temperature, high-humidity environments. Look for sauna-friendly means of entertainment, which may serve you better than a smartphone.
- Offline entertainment: Before the sauna, download your favorite tracks, podcasts, or relaxation tracks and use an MP3 player that will cope better with the sauna environment than your smartphone.
- Smart watches: Some smartwatches are designed to function under adverse conditions, so it will be wiser to take your smartwatch into the shower than your phone. They will allow you to stay in contact and check your health without putting your phone in danger.
With these tips, you can enjoy your time at the sauna with your phone safely in use but not with the evident care that you need to include.
Consider bringing your phone into the sauna because it would be helpful. Still, the risks involved are many times greater than the benefits. High humidity and heat can hurt electronics badly, decrease the life of batteries, and pose a danger to people. The best thing to do is leave your phone outside the sauna, but following the manufacturer’s instructions and other precautions can help reduce risk. Use waterproof speakers or sauna-friendly tools to have a stress-free and relaxed session at the sauna.
