What should you actually do when a device gets wet?
Power it off, do not charge it, and dry it slowly — and the most widely repeated piece of advice, putting it in rice, is ineffective and actively risky, which is worth knowing before you need it.
The immediate steps:
Remove it from the liquid and power it off. Do not press buttons unnecessarily. If it is already off, leave it off — powering on to check is how most avoidable damage happens.
Disconnect from power and do not charge it. This is the most important instruction: current flowing through a wet circuit causes corrosion and short circuits, and charging a wet device is far more damaging than the water alone. Modern phones detect moisture in the port and refuse to charge — do not override that warning.
Remove the case, SIM tray and any removable battery.
Dry the exterior and shake gently to clear the ports, holding it so water runs out rather than in.
Leave it to dry in a warm, dry, moving-air location for at least 48 hours — longer if it was submerged. Airflow matters more than heat.
Why rice does not work. Rice absorbs moisture far more slowly than simple air circulation, does not draw water out of a sealed enclosure, and introduces starch and dust into the ports — which causes its own problems. Silica gel packets are better than rice; open air is better than either.
What else to avoid: hair dryers and radiators, which drive water further in and can damage components; freezing; and compressed air, which pushes water deeper.
Why salt water and other liquids are much worse. Fresh water alone can evaporate leaving little residue. Salt water, and anything sugary or alcoholic, leaves conductive or corrosive deposits that continue damaging the device after it dries — these need professional cleaning, ideally quickly.
About IP ratings. A water-resistance rating is tested in fresh water, when new, under controlled conditions. Seals degrade with age and impact, ratings do not cover salt water or pressure, and water damage is typically excluded from warranty regardless of the rating.
Back up as soon as it works, since delayed failure is common.