Working in machine shops; I often had cycle time to read. Drops killed most of them. I had a few mysteriously die. When I would open them up, there was board and frame corrosion. Metal working fluids and fine metal chips are hell on electronics.

Dropped a few in the bathtub. Current kindle has been dropped in the bath, but survived. It may die due to corrosion. Battery is getting weak anyhow.

For years, I didn’t use a cover. I now have one of the official Amazon covers and have gotten better longevity on my former and current kindles. My case has a crack in it due to a drop.

I consider them a consumable, they’re cheap compared to the knowledge and pleasure they give me.