Okay when Uncle Tom flipped the canoe this summer it was all in fun and even he laughed. He was not laughing anymore when he pulled himself onto the dock only to realize that his cell phone was in his pocket.

I love to walk in the rain by choice. I don't like getting caught in a sudden downpour without an umbrella especially when my clothes get soaked. Had not planned on the wet t-shirt contest jokes when I got back to the office. What was worse was a sopping wet cell phone that had no place to take cover.

I am sorry I could not return your call. I went to drain the lizard and my phone slipped from my pocket into the toilet. Any idea on how to fix this?

Um, I just started college and this whole laundry thing is new to me. Next time I should remember to empty my pockets? I don't mind having clean keys, it's the cell phone I am a little concerned about.

I just grabbed my jacket from out of the car. It rained this morning and I parked over a big puddle I managed to skip over it getting out of the car. The phone falling from my jacket pocket however was not so lucky.

Hey baby! How are you. I hope your business trip is going okay. I am on the cell phone. I am just climbing into a nice hot bubble bath. I wish you were here....slip...ker plunk...hello hello?

Anybody know how my cell phone ended up in Fido's water bowl?

Cell phones get wet. I am sure if this has happened to you, you too have your own unique story to add on how this happened. In fact if it's happened to you recently it may in fact be the reason you are here right now!

Don't panic. Your phone can be saved.

If you are fast about it.

Step 1. Get your phone away from the water ASAP. The plastic encasements on phones are actually pretty tight but the water will start entering the phone within 20 seconds. So get that phone out of the water now!

Step 2. Remove the battery. Electricity and water do not mix.

Step 3. Remove your sim card. If you phone is fried you may be lucky enough to at least retrieve all your data.

Step 4. Dry your phone. Get away as much moisture as you can using a towel or paper towel.

Step 5. Let the phone dry 72 hours. Although your SIM data may be safe your graphics and ring tones are still with your phone. Do not try to attach the battery to see if it will work. You may want to drop the phone into a bowl of dry uncooked rice. This will help to draw away the moisture and speed up the drying process.

Be patient and just wait. If you make it the three days you may actually have a phone that works again.

Step 6. Test the phone. If the phone is not working. Try again with just the charger and no battery. If it works without your battery you just need to replace the battery again. If it still does not work. You can wait another few days and try again.

Step 7. If all else fails take your phone into your authorized dealer sometimes they can fix it.

Also remember that many companies now offer insurance on phones that are lost and/or damaged. Check to see if you purchased insurance when you signed up for your phone plan.

Learn more about this author, Julie Zbeetnoff.
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