So, is this just true for Verizon customers? Or, for all of us?
According to Verizon, 90% of us use our gadgets (smartphones, tablets) in the bathroom. (They produced a PDF with this and other “facts” ).
What about Sony and O2 (the British wireless provider) users? 75% of their users admitted that they use their phones while sitting on the commode? (Oh- a quarter of the guys said they sat down instead of standing so they could keep using the phone!)
If these are universal statistics, does that mean some 15% of us use their devices while shaving and/or brushing our teeth?
Despite all the commercials that Samsung and Apple produce showing us dropping our phones in pools, this bathroom use is probably the real reason that manufacturers are making their devices water-resistant. Because we tend to drop our gadgets in the sink- or the toilet. (Hopefully before we do our business!)
Maybe that’s why a University of Arizona prof (Dr. Charles Gerba, an environmental microbiologist) reported that smartphones have 10X the number of microbes as one would find on a toilet seat. Dr. Gerba attributes that to the fact that we know toilets are dirty, so we clean them and the seats. But, we fail to maintain hygienic standards for our phones. Yes, even after we go to the bathroom.
That was also reported by Dr. Val Curtis (London School of Hygiene) who reported how his group effected a survey of folks in 12 cities in the UK, including London and Birmingham. They found we fail to wash our hands properly (this is a major, universal problem), so that our contaminated hands contaminate our phones. 16% of the folks had fecal bacteria on their hands- and on their phones.
But, please don’t use soap and water on those gadgets. Instead, buy and use the special wipes that clean and disinfect the gadgets.
Oh- and NEVER use your phone while it’s charging and you are taking a bath.
Wait a second. Maybe this is just a good way to cull out those folks who simply don’t think….
Hi.
I agree with your post. Thanks for sharing your post.It’s actually a good process and everybody uses that, I use that too, you too will do it.
Linda PetersS recently posted..Hello world!
Thanks so much, Linda, for your affirmation.
Only 90%? I suspect the statistic is even higher. Who would admit to this? Ugh.
Alana recently posted..Random Acts of Kindness Past
I hoped I had more company than 10%, Alana!
This is actually very ironic, because I dropped my phone in the toilet last month and had to buy a new one – it was in the back pocket of my jeans and when I went to sit down it dropped 🙁 But yes, I do use the phone in the bathroom normally – will be going for water resistence for my new one!
Water resistance does not impart any microbial resistance. Get those cleaning wipes, Megan!
I’m rather glad I don’t have a smartphone. If I ever get one, I’ll keep this in mind.
Barbara Radisavljevic recently posted..Accidents, Good Neighbors, and Caregiving
That was the primary reason for the post, Barb. Thanks for the visit and the comment.
I am not tech. crazy. I have a basic cell phone. I do all of my using a laptop. But, this is something people should be aware of.
I am pretty sure the laptop in the bathroom would create the same problem, BrendaMarie.