Looking after your laptop

Encourage your child to look after their laptop. After all, it's about the most important tool they'll have in high school. Here are some tips:

Moving around

• Treat the laptop like you would your wallet. Don't leave it lying around. Avoid leaving it in the car, or if you must, lock it in the boot.
• Carry the laptop inside your school bag when travelling to and from school. To help prevent theft or damage, avoid using it in public.
• Be sure nothing is stacked or thrown on top of the laptop.
• Tell the school immediately if the laptop needs repairs, or is stolen, lost or damaged.

Using your laptop

• Don't drop the laptop, get it wet, or leave it outdoors. Avoid using it with food or drink.
• Put the laptop on a solid surface if you are using it for a long time. Resting it on a pillow or other soft material might block the airflow vents and cause it to overheat.
• Use a soft cotton cloth, like a handkerchief, to clean the screen.
• Take care not to leave anything, like a pen, between the screen and the keyboard when closing the laptop.

Remember: recharge!

• Recharge the battery each night. While charging, place it on a hard surface like the dining table or kitchen bench. Don't charge it near water.
• When using or charging the laptop, it's normal for the bottom of the case to get warm.
• Take care with the charger. Don't step on or yank the cord.
• Unplug the laptop if there's an electrical storm