The PS3 is a pretty well built system. However like most electronic devices it can still be damaged. Here are my top 3 tips that may prevent PS3 damage.
1)Protect your PS3 from power surges. A power surge is an unexpected spike in voltage. It can be cause by something such as a lightning strike. It can short out the internal components in your PS3...or any plugged in device for that matter. To protect against a power surge all you need is a surge protector.
2)Protect your PS3 from spills. The PS3 isn't water proof so if you spill something on it and it gets inside the system, it may damage it.
3)Protect your PS3 from heat. As the PS3 runs it generates a lot of heat there is, of course, a built in system to keep it cool. However there are some simple things that you can do to help the cooling system run effectively.
- Play in an open area, on a hard flat surface; never use it on a carpet. Carpets can block the air vents and also trap the heat resulting in a very hot PS3.
-Make sure the vents aren't obstructed by dust; if they are you can clean it with a vacuum. Be sure not to use too strong a vacuum a hand vac should be okay. You can also cover the PS3 with a cloth when it is off to stop dust from getting into the vents...and to the PS3 as a whole.