Saved by Saran Wrap

In a bit of really useful information, Glad Press and Seal makes an excellent keyboard cover for your laptop if you're going to Iraq or just the beach. Or if you're like me an eat in close proximity to your computer a lot. From Kit Up:

My PSG got a box of GLAD Press and Seal and put it over the entire keyboard area of his laptop to include the power button, etc. It did the trick of keeping the sand out of the keyboard and thus out the computer components inside.

As an IT Manager, I was impressed. Buy a rubberized keyboard for your laptop and look at the price tag that comes along with it. The nice part is when the press and seal gets dirty to the point you can no longer see the letters, simply tear off a new section and you're back in business.

Other household products, like Ziploc bags can be really useful in many other scenarios like waterproofing things on camping and beach trips. They're very light, take up no room, but can keep your extra pair of socks dry or your sandwich edible even if the rest of you gets covered with water or sand.