If liquid gets into your computer, it could cause a short circuit and (sometimes literally) fry the circuitry inside the system. Similarly, food crumbs could not only degrade the performance of the keyboard, but they could potentially cause other equipment failures. Food crumbs might even attract unwanted pests, who might ultimately decide that the inside of a laptop is a great place to live.

To avoid this, we recommend keeping your drink cup far away enough from the computer that, if you do end up spilling it, liquid doesn’t go directly onto the laptop’s keyboard. At least a foot away from the computer should be sufficient. Similarly, if you need to eat while working, do so over a plate that you keep at least a foot away from the computer itself.

You can also invest in a laptop stand to keep the computer elevated at all times, so if anything spills, it won’t go directly onto the computer itself.

It’s important to keep your computer equipment clean. You want to regularly clean the keyboard, touchpad, display, and vents.

An air blaster (otherwise known as canned air or electronics duster) is a must-have for keeping vents, fans, and the keyboard free of dust and debris. For the screen, you can pick up cleaning wipes designed specifically for displays, or use a microfiber cloth and 75% rubbing alcohol to keep the screen and keyboard clean and disinfected.

Never use household cleaning products or paper towels on computer equipment. These can damage the plastic, especially on the screen, and cause scratches.

You may have heard that it’s not a good idea to overcharge a laptop battery. This is true for the old Nickel-cadmium batteries, but those haven’t been in use for a long time. The battery in your modern laptop actually prefers to remain plugged in for best performance and lifetime. If you can, you also want to avoid letting it get to 0%; modern batteries can actually be damaged by being completely discharged.

Computer components get hot when they’re running, and excessive heat can cause damage. Different laptops have fans and air vents in different places, so look for the vents and make sure they’re not blocked when you’re using your laptop. Always use your laptop on a hard, even surface. Putting a laptop on a soft surface like a pillow or bed can block the air vents and prevent proper heat dissipation. If you’re going to travel with your laptop, make sure it’s turned off before it goes in the bag; if it’s running in there, it will have the same kind of heat dissipation problems.

If you’re going to be traveling with your laptop, consider investing in a laptop sleeve or travel bag. You can reach out to the IT Helpdesk if you’d like the company to supply you with a laptop bag.

Whenever traveling with your laptop, be sure to avoid leaving it unattended. Try to keep it with you at all times, or at least locked away in a safe place. If you absolutely must leave your laptop unattended in your car, make sure to hide it so potential thieves can’t spot it from outside.