Answer:
- Don't carry music or a stand or anything else when you're also carrying your horn. (Having a free hand can prevent accidents. )
- Be careful when it's in the case with the lid open because it's vulnerable to damage from dropped mutes, mouthpieces.
- Remember to latch or zip your case shut or one of these days you'll pick it up and the horn will go flying.
- If you use a gig bag be careful going through doors. In fact, if you use a gig bag, be careful with everything you do.
- Never walk away and leave your horn on its stand.
- Check your mute corks. If they're too hard they'll score the bell. Have them replaced with foam.
- Be careful when you have the horn disassembled for cleaning. Slides and valves can easily be damaged if dropped even a short distance. Put the components on a bath towel and don't let them bang against each other
- Be especially careful carrying your horn onstage or to a rehearsal when others are setting up. Crowded conditions lead to collisions.