Where is your cell phone right now? Chances are, it’s less than 3 feet away and rarely gets much farther than that. For better or worse, these little devices have become part of us. With more than 15 billion mobile phones being used across the globe, shouldn’t you know the health risks associated with them?

Germs

Cell phones have 10 times more germs than bathrooms, according to one study. Make cleaning your smart devices a regular part of your routine and your health will thank you.

Experts recommend avoiding harsh chemicals. Opt for an isopropyl alcohol/ water mixture or a specialized cleaner like iKlear to wipe down your device. Make sure to use a nonabrasive cloth to avoid scratches to your screen.

Interference with brain function

There are many ways that mobile phones can affect our brains, but not all of them pose health risks. Changes in brain activity, sleep patterns, and reaction times have all been reported, but the World Health Organization states that they pose no dangers.

However, phone usage does become a problem at night. Light from smart phones, laptops and tablets may lower melatonin levels and make it hard for us to get enough sleep.

Dangerous driving

This one is less of a surprise, but still a huge problem today: The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that in 2019, 3,142 lives were lost due to distracted driving. No texts are worth dying over, so make a habit of stashing your phone away from reach while you're behind the wheel.

Overall, from cleaning your phone regularly to practicing safe habits while driving, there are a lot of ways we can be smarter about the use of cell phones to greatly reduce their health hazards.