All the heat, water, and travel of summer time can take a toll on your tech. Whether you’re heading to the lake, the mountains, or just your backyard, keeping your devices safe (and your data secure) should be part of your summer plans.

Here are our top tips to protect your gadgets—and yourself—this season:

Don’t Let Your Devices Overheat

Phones, tablets, and laptops can get hot fast when left in the sun or a parked car. iPhone users know this too well. Too much heat can slow performance, damage internal components, or even cause permanent battery issues.

Travel Tip: Keep devices in shaded or ventilated areas and avoid charging them in direct sunlight— this includes mounts on your car dash! Turn phones off or enable airplane mode during long sun exposure to reduce heat buildup.

Invest in Waterproof Accessories

Summer is full of water hazards. You have sprinklers and pools, and maybe even the occasional trip to the beach (if you’re willing to travel!) A waterproof phone pouch or splash-proof speaker can go a long way toward preventing an accident. If you’re in a tight spot, even a ziplock baggy can do wonders in protecting your device! I used to put my iPhone in a gallon ziplock before putting it into my fannypack as a lifeguard!

Bonus: If you’re using a portable projector or laptop outside, make sure you’re watching the weather and packing up before any surprise storms roll in.

Secure Your Connection on Public Wi-Fi

Airports, hotels, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, but that convenience comes with risk. Public networks are hotspots for cyber snooping. You can check out this article to learn how to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi.  

Back Up Your Photos & Data

We love summer photo ops—which is why you shouldn’t risk losing precious memories to a drop, spill, or lost phone.

As someone that’s dropped their iPhone in a river while tubing, I know how useful cloud storage can be! Before a big trip, make sure to use cloud storage or an external drive to back up your photos and important files before heading out. Automatic backups over Wi-Fi at home are the easiest way to make sure nothing gets lost.

Keep Chargers and Batteries Safe

Extreme heat or direct sunlight can degrade battery performance or even pose safety risks. Avoid leaving portable chargers and batteries in hot cars or on concrete surfaces in the sun. Be sure to store them in a shaded bag or insulated pouch when not in use.

With a little planning and the right tools, you can keep your devices safe while still making the most of the season. So, get out there, soak up the sun, and protect your (expensive!) devices.