For the most part, this tip should be a no-brainer, but I have noticed this a few times in the past so I think it is worthy of having a tip posted.

Be careful of keeping trash next to your computer. Not because it is a fire hazard or will hurt your machine, more for the fact that eventually you might be tempted to start throwing food away in it. Putting paper plates, paper towels, empty chip bags, apple cores (you get the idea) next to your computer, which blows out heat, can cause the smell of rotten food to quickly spread around your computer area. Worse yet, the heat produced by your computer could cause the food to rot faster and make the smell worse. Not to mention the bugs it will attract.

Keeping a trash can next to your computer if fine, just make sure you don’t throw perishables away in it! Again, this should be a no-brainer, but regardless, think twice before you throw away or leave food next to your computer.