The best option is to keep an ESD-safe work place. This includes taking out common ESD generating materials like paper, styrofoam, and most of the plastics to minimum 12 inches distance from ESD Sensitive items, work only on a safely grounded surface like a conductive mat with1-2M ohm resistance to ground, and with an ESD strap on.

Many users would not like to search and get an ESD mat, if they work on electronics on a regularly, but ESD straps can be obtained from any electronics and computer stores or online, many prefer less than $5.00.

Finally, you can ground yourself to the cover of the computer before working on the parts. Just touch the power supply or a surface having no paint.

Do not take off the ESDS components from their packaging till the time it is ready to be to installed, and if you want to take out a part, put in inside an ESD “static bag”, folding the open end of the bag couple of time. Don’t staple or else puncture static bags or keep static-generating materials inside them with all protection.

There are few safety measures one must consider while working in a computer case. Some will suggest leaving the computer plugged in but switched off so that the chassis is grounded from the electrical system. It is one way of making sure the computer is grounded, but for some a perfect way to invite trouble, as the power supply will be energized, especially in the case of the latest ATX and uATX computers.

One should not be rummaging around in a case with power supply on in any condition. Wearing an ESD strap when working on a power supplied computer can also inviting danger, as the strap effectively puts the wearer at ground potential and thus making sure a shocking experience should the user touch an energized wire or part.

If using an ESD mat, don’t try running a board while it is placed on the mat or you can resolve and destroy it. The same applies for the gray ESD bag containing it.