Do not grab the body of the flute by its keys when removing it from the case.

Instead, grasp it by the tenon section, where you won't put stress on the springs.

Remove the head piece in a similar fashion.

Avoid contact with the nickel-silver portion of the tenon when holding the head piece. The sweat from your skin leaves behind acids that can eventually corrode it.

Also, don't grab the head piece by its lip plate. If you are wearing a ring, you could scratch the embouchure hole.

It is okay to grab the foot joint by the bottom two keys (the ones connected to the B and C rollers).