We tend to fret over battery life as if it were the most important aspect of our devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc), and while battery life is important, we often forget -- or take for granted -- that these batteries are essentially useless without their respective chargers.

I'm not saying we shouldn't bother extending the battery lifespan of our devices. We definitely should! Those tips are important. All I'm saying is that we ought to take just as good, if not better, care of our chargers.

  1. Always unplug by the head -- Never grab the charger by its cord and try to unplug it that way. It may work, and it may seem like you aren't doing any damage, but over time the tension will cause irreparable internal damage.
  2. Keep it dry -- And keep it away from sources of water. Don't charge in your kitchen, don't charge in your bathroom, and always clean spills right away.
  3. Keep it cool -- Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can damage chargers. Try not to leave chargers on carpet or rug, especially in hot environments. When transporting during winter, insulate it.
  4. Keep it tucked away -- When you least expect it, a stray charger can turn into a tripwire. Not only can this cause damage to the charger itself (e.g. tear the cord, break the plug head), it can seriously hurt you!
  5. Use a surge protector -- You never know when an electrical surge might hit, and if the surge is bad enough, it can damage or destroy electronic components. Don't risk it, especially during storms or in buildings with poorly designed circuits.

Then again, once the world moves to wireless charging for everything, we won't have to worry about this anymore. Until then, don't neglect your chargers!

Know of any other tips for keeping device chargers in tip-top shape? Do you take as good care of your chargers as your batteries? Share with us in a comment below!

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