Disturbing story out of Vancouver this month as a coroner’s report found a notebook computer caused a fire that killed a man. The computer was on his couch, when it caught fire, or caused the couch to catch fire.

Heat is the enemy of most electronic devices, and today’s computers generate a lot of heat. In a traditional desktop computer there is plenty of room to install a large heat sink, which absorbs much of the heat generated by the chips, and cool the entire structure with fans moving air over the heat sink, diffusing the heat and prompting any heat related issues.

Notebook computers, (please notice I didn't say Laptop computers, as they are really not designed for your lap!) however are compact, the components far closer together and there is little room for fans and other heat dissipating tools.

If you look at a notebook, you will see ventilation holes, usually on the bottom and sides of the computer. These are critical to the safe operation of the notebook, if they are plugged or blocked, as was apparently the case in the Vancouver fire, heat will build up. The fact the computer was plugged in and charging the lithium ion battery meant the notebook was generating maximum heat. Sitting on the couch blocked the ventilation holes and a calamity resulted.

One lesson we can all take away from this is never leave your computer sitting on a couch, or bed or other soft surface. Even though the computer should have fail safe systems to shut it down when heat builds up, or even go to sleep after a period of inactivity, we simply can't rely on technology to keep us safe. Common sense is required.

Another safety tip, make sure your notebook successfully goes to sleep when you close the lid. Even though this wasn't the case in this fire, there could be a risk if a notebook continues to run at full speed when the lid is closed and it is placed in a briefcase or computer bag. The confined space could heat up and we know that the results could be very bad.

While you are thinking about it, why not make sure your desktop is clean and cool, take off the side panels, clean up any dust you find and vacuum out the case, a lot of dust bunnies make their home in computers and they should be evicted from time to time.

A rethink may also be required if you consider your notebook to be a laptop, especially if you are a man, and especially if you still have “live swimmers” if you catch my drift. Studies indicate that a computer running in your lap can raise the temperature of the region by as much as 4 degrees Celsius, not a good idea if your intention is to raise children! That much heat for a prolonged period significantly lowers male fertility. Instead of keeping your notebook on your lap, a laptop table that separates it from you or an end table that swings over your lap is a good way to keep the convenience of the notebook and avoid unintentionally cooking your chances of a large family.

Heat is the enemy, pay attention, not only can it ruin your computer, it can destroy far more that that!