Most people treat their smartphones like any other object, carelessly tossing them next to items that can cause serious damage to the device or even compromise their personal security.
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From everyday household items that generate heat to components that pose unforeseen risks to your data, placing inappropriate objects next to your phone can lead to costly malfunctions, privacy breaches, and safety hazards you might never expect.
Here is a list of devices and items you should avoid keeping close to your smartphone, according to a report by "Things You Didn’t Know," reviewed by Al-Arabiya Business.
Credit and Bank Cards
Placing credit and debit cards next to your phone might seem harmless, but the magnetic fields generated by your device can cause significant damage to the magnetic strips on these cards.
While modern phones do not contain the powerful magnets found in older devices, they still generate enough electromagnetic energy to corrupt data stored on your cards' magnetic strips. This issue becomes even more critical if you use a phone case with a magnetic clasp or a magnetic car mount.
The risk escalates dramatically when the phone is charging or during active phone calls, as these processes spike electromagnetic emissions.
Many people only discover that their cards have been demagnetized when they reach a checkout counter or an ATM, facing the embarrassment of a declined transaction. Therefore, it is advised to keep your wallet and cards in a separate pocket or a different section of your bag away from your phone.
Car Keys
Modern car keys are no longer just simple pieces of metal. Most vehicles now come with electronic key fobs containing sensitive radio frequency (RF) circuits, which do not mix well with smartphones.
When you place car keys directly next to your phone, the wireless signals emitted by both devices can interfere with each other. This can lead to a malfunction in the key fob or drain its battery much faster than usual.
This interference is more pronounced in keyless entry and push-button start systems. Some car owners have reported that their vehicles stopped recognizing the key fobs altogether after they were stored alongside phones for extended periods.
Furthermore, electromagnetic fields can also reduce the key's signal range, forcing you to get much closer to the vehicle to unlock it. Thus, it is preferable to store keys in a different pocket or use a small pouch to separate them from the phone.
Laptops and Tablets
Placing your phone on top of a laptop or tablet while both are running creates the perfect environment for dangerous overheating. Both devices generate heat during normal operation; combining their thermal output can quickly cause temperatures to spike to levels that can damage internal components.
Laptops, especially when running processor-heavy tasks, can generate enough heat to cause a smartphone's battery to swell or its screen to crack.
This thermal accumulation worsens when the laptop is charging or if the phone is plugged into a charger at the same time.
Many people make this mistake unconsciously, particularly when working in cafes or co-working spaces, casually setting their phone down on the laptop's keyboard.
This heat buildup can also trigger the thermal protection systems in both devices, leading to sluggish performance or sudden shutdowns. Therefore, it is always recommended to maintain a distance of at least several centimeters between the devices and avoid stacking them directly on top of each other.
Medical Devices
If you use a pacemaker, an insulin pump, or any other electronic medical device, keeping a smartphone too close can cause dangerous interference.
The wireless signals emitted by phones can disrupt the normal operation of these life-sustaining devices, potentially leading to malfunctions or inaccurate readings.
Medical device manufacturers typically recommend maintaining a minimum distance of six inches between the phone and implanted devices.
Even non-implanted medical devices, such as digital glucose monitors and thermometers, can be affected by proximity to a phone. Electromagnetic fields can cause unstable readings or prevent these devices from functioning correctly.
Healthcare providers often advise patients to turn off their phones or move them to another room when taking critical medical measurements. These precautions become paramount in emergencies, where the accuracy of readings can be a matter of life or death.
External Hard Drives
Portable hard drives and USB storage devices contain precise magnetic or electronic components that do not fare well against the electromagnetic fields emitted by smartphones.
Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs with spinning platters) are highly vulnerable because they store data magnetically; electromagnetic interference from a phone can lead to corrupted files or total data loss.
Even Solid-State Drives (SSDs) can experience glitches within their electronic controllers when exposed to such interference.
Paper Documents and Important Cards
Although paper itself cannot be damaged by a smartphone, placing important documents like tickets, receipts, or business cards next to your phone can create opportunities for loss, damage, or security risks. Because phones are frequently pulled out of pockets or bags, accompanying papers can easily be dropped or ruined.
More importantly, if someone gains physical access to your phone, they might also gain access to any sensitive documents carried with it.
Insurance cards, membership IDs, and other critical documents often contain personal information that you would not want exposed if your phone is lost or stolen. Even seemingly trivial items like concert tickets or restaurant reservations can reveal your location and schedule to potential thieves.
Therefore, it is advisable to use a separate wallet for documents or a dedicated compartment inside your bag, which also helps keep them organized and easily accessible rather than mixed up with your phone and other belongings.
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