What safety precautions should I take before installing or removing components on the motherboard?

Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component to prevent electrical shock. Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded metal object to avoid static electricity damage. Ensure the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached before installing or removing any component, as failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.