Summary

4 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideGeneral Safety GuidelinesFollow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock, and damage toeyesight. As a best practice, make sure that a fire extinguisher and first aid kit are availablein case of fire or injury. Here are some general safety guidelines:■■■■■■■■■■Remove your watch or any other jewelry and secure loose clothing.Turn off the power and unplug equipment before opening the case and performingservice.Cover any sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.Never open a power supply or a monitor.Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or use high voltage.Know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it.Know where the first aid kit is located.Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.Lift heavy objects with your legs to avoid back injury.CautionPower supplies and monitors contain very high voltage. Do not wear the antistatic wrist strap whenreplacing power supplies or monitors. Also, some printer parts might become very hot when in use,and other parts can contain very high voltages. Make sure that the printer has had time to cool beforemaking the repair. Check the printer manual for locations of various components that can containhigh voltages. Some components might retain high voltages even after the printer is turned off.Fire Safety GuidelinesFollow fire safety guidelines to protect equipment and lives. Turn off and unplug the computerbefore beginning a repair to avoid damage to the computer or a shock to the technician.Fire can spread rapidly and be very costly. Proper use of a fire extinguisher can prevent asmall fire from getting out of control. When working with computer components, alwaysconsider the possibility of an accidental fire and know how to react. If there is a fire, youshould follow these safety procedures:■■■■Never fight a fire that is out of control or not contained.Always have a planned fire escape route before beginning any work.Get out of the building quickly.Contact emergency services for help.