Many studies have revealed that prolonged use of mobile phones can expose the user to damaging levels of radiation. At the same time, mobile phones are such a convenience that they are becoming more and more popular. In many advanced countries, mobiles phones have numerically overtaken regular land-based phones, that is, there are now more mobile phones in these countries than land phones.
Under these circumstances it is important to use mobile phones in such a way as to reduce the health risks involved in their use, since we cannot do without these handy gadgets. Here are some simple tips that any mobile phone user can follow and considerably reduce the level of exposure to harmful radiation and thus cut down health risk.
Keep the phone away from your body when it is not required
Many people attach cords to their mobile phones and wear them on their neck, so as to have both hands free for other work. This can greatly increase the risk of radiation because the phone is always close to the chest and near vital organs like the heart. One must remember that the moment it is switched on, the hand set tries to establish and maintain contact with the satellite or the transmission tower. This means it is constantly emitting radiation, irrespective of whether you are actually receiving or making a call or not.
The further away from your body the phone is the less radiation you are exposed to. Therefore, when it is not actually needed, keep the phone on the writing desk, in your bag, or on the bedside stool within easy reach of your hands. This is much safer than hanging it around your neck, holding it in your hand, or keeping it in your pocket.
Hold it at the bottom
When you make or receive calls, don’t hold the phone in such a way that most of it is covered by your hands. By covering large areas of the phone with your hand, you reduce its ability to send and receive signals. The phone then increases its power and transmits stronger radiation to compensate for this. So hold the phone as far down as possible, so that it can operate at low power.
Get in the best position You can see the signal reception strength in the display. When the reception is good the phone reduces power and radiation. If the reception is weak, the phone uses maximum power and emits maximum radiation. So move closer to a window, or come out of a room or vehicle to increase signal reception and decrease radiation exposure levels.
Use a regular phone if possible
If you have a regular phone, make use of it in place of your mobile phone whenever possible. The amount of radiation you take in is directly proportional to the length of time you talk on a mobile phone. This will also save you money as land phone tariffs are usually lower than mobile phone tariffs.
Keep conversations brief
Since the amount of radiation is directly related to the length of time you talk on a mobile phone, keeping your conversations brief will have a very beneficial effect on you in that you will be exposed to less radiation.
Keep children away from mobile phones
Do not let small children talk for long durations on a mobile phone; they are more susceptible to radiation damage than adults.
Hazardous areas of use
In addition to the risk from radiation, mobile phones are dangerous gadgets in other ways also. For example, the signal strength is sufficiently high to cause fire in places where inflammable material abounds, like a petrol pump. Therefore always keep the mobile phone switched off at petrol pumps to avoid causing a fire. Also do not use your mobile phone where there is a lot of electrical equipment such as an aircraft or a hospital. The mobile phone signals could interfere with the electrical equipment and cause accidents.
If the phone rings while you are driving, you can be distracted from your driving and this could lead to major accidents. Therefore, do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop at a safe place and then talk.
Matters of etiquette
Show consideration to those around you when you are using a mobile phone. Select a low volume for ring tones and beeps. Keep your ring tones decent, those fancy ones can irritate people around you. Talk softly into your mobile phone. During meetings, prayers and other public gatherings, and in trains, aircrafts, libraries, cinemas, playhouses and other public places, make it a habit to turn your hand set off or to keep it in silent mode.
Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Mobile-Phone-Safety-Tips