How to Prevent and Take Care of Liquid Spills on a Laptop

Not long ago, I experienced an accident that many people will go through at some point: my cat knocked a glass of water onto my laptop. Not only was I completely unprepared, but unable to reach any computer help hotlines, as it happened near midnight. My computer never recovered and I learned the expensive way that liquids and electronics don't mix. Here are some guidelines to help prepare anyone for a similar emergency and minimize the damage.

The best way to avoid having to buy a new computer is simple prevention; if you don't bring liquids near your computer, the chances of an accident happening are pretty slim. If you must have a drink in hand while you surf the internet, make sure you do exactly that and keep it in your hand. If you must put it down, keep it on a completely different surface than the one your computer is on. This might seem like a hassle, but keep in mind that it only takes a split second and an arm or leg bumping into the table to spell disaster.

If you have kids, it would be a good idea to come up with a rule involving no food or drinks at the computer table. Not only will this prevent the chances of them spilling something on the computer, but it will also help them stay healthier by avoiding mindless snacking. Depending on their ages, you might consider supervising them while online by putting the computer in a family room.

Pets are another major culprit when it comes to computer accidents. Cats and dogs love nothing more than jumping onto a table and exploring out of curiosity, and they're often faster than you think. This can be bad news for anyone that leaves a drink unattended next to their computer for even a second. In addition to keeping liquids away from your computer, you might consider designating the computer room off limits to your pets.

Sometimes all the preventative measures in the world don't help one sidestep an accident. In that case, don't panic; there are emergency steps you can take to minimize the damage if you've already spilled something on your computer.

First and foremost, turn the computer off immediately. Since water conducts electricity, it can quickly short out the motherboard and circuitry in the system if it's left on. Once it's shut off, turn it upside down and gently shake it for a few minutes to get as much of the water out as possible. Afterwards, blow a fan onto your computer for several hours until it dries. Avoid using a hairdryer, as the heat can damage the computer as well.

Depending on the climate where you live, it might take a few days for the computer to dry out completely. If you have the time, it would be a good idea to be cautious and wait 3-5 days before attempting to turn it on again.

If you've taken the steps above, your computer should come on again with minimal or no damage. Should you have to buy a new computer in the worst case scenario, you can still salvage what was on your hard drive. The hard drive in laptops is one of the only components that isn't easily damaged by liquids. Many electronics and computer stores sell devices that you can attach your old hard drive to after unscrewing it from the damaged computer, and insert into the USB port of a new computer to transfer the data. These devices are not expensive and should run under $30.

Good luck in keeping your electronics safe. Remember that prevention and knowledge are the best bets in the case of computer emergencies.