These kinds of accidents happen all the time, often with the result of an expensive trip to the store for a replacement. But maybe that doesn't have to be the outcome.

A couple years back, PC World offered some , including the ever-popular "submerge it in a bowl of dry rice." But if you want a more robust solution, consider stocking a .

For $20, this moisture-absorbing bag of magic beads claims to be 700 percent more effective than rice, and faster than silica gel (which is what some other device-drying products use).

All you do is remove your phone's battery (if possible), drop it in the bag, seal it up, then go to bed. When you wake up, your device should emerge dry as a bone -- and, with luck, fully functional. (There are no guarantees, but water doesn't always mean a death sentence for small electronics. Once the moisture is gone, it should perk right up again.)

I haven't tried a Bheestie Bag myself, as I've managed to keep my phones and other gadgets from taking unintended swims. But (where the Bheestie sells for $18.15) are extremely favorable.