8 places to put your cell phone that cause unexpected harm

In pocket

Keeping your phone in your pocket may seem like a good idea, but it can do more harm than good. According to health experts, your pocket is actually the worst place to keep your phone. When your phone is turned on, connected to a wireless network, and placed in your pocket, the radiation is 2 to 7 times higher than when it is placed in a wallet or holster. There is a correlation between radiation from cell phones and tumor growth.

Additionally, radiation can alter DNA structure and affect male fertility. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has also found that cell phone radiation is a human carcinogen. Simply sitting on your phone can cause health problems such as sciatica or other back problems.

In bra

Some studies have suggested that keeping your phone in your bra may be linked to breast cancer due to radiation and vibration from the phone. There is not enough evidence to confirm this relationship. However, keeping your phone in your bra, especially a sports bra, is a “bad idea” because of the bacteria that can cause skin irritation.

On the bed or under the pillow

Sleeping with your phone is a bad idea for a number of reasons. First, keeping your phone under your pillow can build up heat and pose a fire hazard, especially if the phone is charging or damaged. It’s also been known that the LED light from phone screens can disrupt melatonin production and circadian rhythms, compromising sleep quality. And, of course, there’s radiation to think about.

The amount of radiofrequency radiation emitted from cell phones is comparable to that emitted from microwave ovens. There are also safety concerns about cell phone use related to cancer and brain tumors, according to the American Cancer Society.

Plug in charger

Charging when the battery is already full can damage the battery. It’s not that the phone is overloaded, but that heat buildup, from placing things on top of it or leaving it under your pillow, can cause the phone to overheat and damage the battery – especially if you use a faulty charging cable.

To face

Holding your phone close to your face means bacteria will come and go from your phone, making your skin and phone dirtier. This combination leads to more acne, skin irritation, and even wrinkles. Instead, try using a headset to keep the surface of your phone away from your face.

In the trunk

Extreme temperatures are the worst conditions for your phone, so leaving it in the trunk of your car during the extremely hot or cold months of the year can lead to problems. Overheating can cause everything from data loss or corruption to battery leakage. Cold weather can also cause problems for phones. In cold temperatures, many smartphones shut down, experience display issues, shorten battery life, and in rare cases, even crack the screen.

On the beach towel

The harsh sun and hot temperatures at the beach are a recipe for phone disaster. Protect your device after you're done shooting. Hot weather conditions can cause your phone to overheat.

Anywhere in the bathroom

While your cell phone may be the new “newspaper,” it’s not a good idea to take it into the bathroom. Even if you leave your device on a shelf or away from the toilet, anything within 1 meter of it after flushing could be contaminated with airborne bacteria or viruses, according to a study published in the Journal ofApplied and Environmental Microbiology. The study authors say that finding bacteria and viruses falling onto surfaces in the toilet after flushing suggests they remain airborne long enough to settle on surfaces there, including your phone.