4 tips to make your TV last

Gone are the days of replaceable tubes and rotating on-board channel selector knobs that frequently broke off. Today's TVs need little maintenance, but there are a few important things to do to make sure you keep getting the picture.

• Plugging your television's power cord into a surge protector is a good way to protect it from potential damage resulting from power surges during electrical storms or from faulty wiring.
• Using a surge protector with all sensitive electronic devices is essential if you live in an area that's prone to thunderstorms.

• If liquid finds its way to the inside of your TV set — either from an accidental spill or from mischief with a water gun — unplug the set and let it thoroughly dry out for at least a week.
• If the TV still doesn't work properly when you plug it back in, it may need to be serviced.

• Those vents found on the top, sides, or back of TVs, VCRs, and game-console cases provide needed air circulation that cools the circuits inside and prevents them from overheating.
• Never place cloth, paper, or other materials over these vents or block them if you put the units into cabinets or other enclosures; it could cause the devices to malfunction and may even ignite a fire.

Keeping your TV clean means routine cleaning, and will go a long way to making your TV last. There are a few components of cleaning a TV, and a couple of things you'll want to avoid.

• Let the TV cool down completely before cleaning to avoid static electricity build-up.
• Dust the TV screen. You can use recycled dryer sheets (dry) on a plasma screen, or a dampened lint-free cloth. Only use a soft, dry cotton cloth on an LCD screen.
• Clean the TV's case. It's not only the screen that needs cleaning, even though that's where you'll be looking. Use a soft cloth (one made of a fabric that won't unravel) dampened with glass cleaner or household cleaner.
• Never spray your TV.
• Never use alcohol to clean your TV.