As many warnings as there are, somehow there are still people willing to risk it by eating beside their electronics. If you're going to do it anyway, you might as well follow a few simple rules to minimize the damage if something does happen. Here are some of them.
1. No Crumbs
Don't eat food with crumbs, including ones that have powder on them such as flavored chips or powdered donuts. Other than the fact that those might fall off your electronics, they are also incredibly hard to clean out. This is especially true for keyboards. When you touch powdered food, best believe it will also end up on your keys or screen.
2. Nothing Sticky
Nothing is more annoying or gross than a sticky device. Since most tech gadgets and devices require a lot of interaction in order to function, your hands must be clean at all times. If you're eating ribs, for example, you better wipe or wash your hands before you touch your phone or your keyboard. Plus, it will be much harder to clean once it dries out.
3. Use Closed Bottles/Cups
If you're going to have drinks near your computer or other electronics, at least have one that you can put a cap on when you're not drinking. That, or get a cup with a lid where you can insert a straw to minimize the splash if it tips over. You don't need to be told that liquids and electronics don't really go together.
4. Don't Leave It Out
As soon as you finish your food or once you're leaving your station, take the food with you and put it in the sink. You can actually put it anywhere else as long as it's not near any electronic gadgets because it might attract ants. In case you don't know, ants can also damage your devices since they might chew on the wiring.
5. Use Coasters
Even if you drink using a covered bottle or cup, cold drinks can still be the cause of damaged electronics. As you know, condensation forms outside any container when a liquid is cold. This in turn could drip down your table. While it would be incredibly rare to have that condensation end up in your phone's ports or your PC, it's still better to be careful. Plus, you'll keep your desk dry.
6. Place It At a Certain Distance
Say you're setting down a covered cup near your computer, be sure to put it at least 15 inches away from any electronic. In the event that you do tip it over accidentally, then it will not spill directly onto any device, and you'll have enough time to gather your wits and fix the mess before it gets worse.
7. Have Cleaning Supplies Nearby
If you're you're going to make a habit of eating near your PC or having your phone in front of you, you should have cleaning supplies nearby, especially ones that are made for electronics. In case there is a spilling accident, you should try and absorb any liquid as early as you can so they don't seep through. It's also best to wipe out any food or drink before they dry off.
