2024-04-21 18:28:39
Relax in the bathtub and watch a film on your smartphone or read an e-book. To most people this sounds harmless. But what happens if the cell phone falls into the water?
Holding your smartphone in your hand while relaxing in the tub is no problem. At least not in battery mode. The voltage is then so low that there is no danger to life if the device falls into the water, explains the Safe House Campaign (DSH).
Things look different during charging. “Connected electrical devices such as cell phones, laptops or hair dryers must not be used in the bathtub. If the device falls into the bath water, there is a risk of a life-threatening electric shock,” says Dr. Susanne Woelk, DSH managing director in Hamburg.
Waterproof devices as an alternative
Regardless of the risk of electric shock, most technological devices are not particularly advisable to use near water. Because if liquid gets into the housing, they will break.
If you really want to take your smartphone or tablet into the bath with you, you can get a waterproof device – often found in stores as an outdoor device. These models are assigned protection class IP67 or IP68, explains the DSH.
IP67 stands for “protection against temporary submersion”. According to the protection class definition, the device is also so tight that no dust can penetrate. The IP68 class also offers protection against dust and can withstand “continuous immersion”.