Consumer Alert: Affordable Ways to Protect Your Equipment at the Pool or Lake

ROCHESTER, NY Are you planning on going to the beach or pool this Fourth of July? If so, you’ll need the right tech tools and protection for your devices. So I turned to the experts for answers.

It probably won’t surprise you that dropping a phone in water is one of the most common accidents reported by smartphone users. Statista, the portal that keeps all the statistics, reports that 74 percent of people damage their phone by dropping it on the ground, 49 percent say their phone fell out of their pocket, and 39 percent have dropped their phone in water.

And that’s one way to ruin your beach trip. So what’s the best way to protect your expensive phone or tablet from getting wet?

In 2012, Consumer Reports found that a Hefty Slider Bag protected products as well as any other waterproof bag on the market. Although there are better products on the market today, I was surprised to find that Wirecutter, the New York Times consumer magazine, also recommends packing your devices in a good old Ziplock bag.

However, if you want something with a strap to make it easier to carry, Wirecutter recommends the Hiearcool Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch. I found it on sale at Amazon for $8.49. However, if you don’t have time to wait for shipping, I found it at Walmart for $9.99 and $13.99. CNN’s product tester also gives this water pouch top marks. And you can still use the touchscreen through the transparent front.

AT&T tech guru and sales manager Jason Komenski recommends waterproof speakers.

“How can you go on a boat and not hear music? If your boat doesn’t have built-in speakers, this thing is pretty awesome,” Jason said, holding a speaker in his hands. “It’s from Altech. It’s called the Lansing HydraMini here. Completely waterproof. You can throw this thing in the water and it will float. It plays music. It has a nice bass. And if you have more than one, you can link them together and get surround sound.”

Amazon sells them for $16. But if you can’t wait for delivery, Best Buy has them on sale for $15. Walmart and Target are selling them for $20. And AT&T is selling them for $30.

“These magnetic MagSafe wallets from Carson & Quinn are fantastic. They’re made by a lot of different manufacturers. I have one from Apple on my phone,” Komenski said. “Just put your money, your driver’s license, anything you need in there. You don’t have to carry a wallet around with you and it’s right by your phone when you need it.”

The magnetic wallet sticks to your smartphone. I found it on sale on Amazon for $40, but on AT&T it costs $30. You can find it at any AT&T store.

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