Protect your cell phone from the cold

(WPRI) -- As temperatures dip into the sub-freezing region, Southern New Englanders will start to consider how to protect themselves, their homes, and their pets from the cold.

• Related: Safety Tips for Extreme Cold
• Related: Protect Pets from Frigid Temperatures

Although, one must not forget to keep their cell phone safe, as the frigid temperatures can be damaging to those types of devices.

According to AT&T New England, exposing your cell phone to extremely cold temperatures for an extended period of time can:

• Cause its battery to drain faster
• Make the phone's hardware brittle, which could lead to cracked screens
• Cause condensation to form inside of your phone's screen
• Increase the risk of permanent damage

In this day and age, many can't go a day without their smart phone, but the easiest way to protect your phone if you're heading out in frigid temps is to leave it at home.

Aside from the obvious, AT&T also suggests to:

• Never leave it in your car or trunk for extended periods of time, since it's not protected well enough
• Leave it inside when shoveling or sledding, since it's not only cold, but your phone could also get wet
• Always keep your phone in a protective case
• Invest in a Bluetooth earpiece, so you can keep the phone in your pocket.
• If your phone has been exposed to frigid temperatures, shut it off and don't turn it back on again until it's warmed up

If you have to use your smart phone in the cold, it's a good idea to pick up a pair of touch-screen gloves, so that your hands will be safe and warm while you do so. For more tips on dealing with frigid temperatures, visit our Cold Weather Resources page.