Safe to leave HDD Loose in Case?

[jamesclark1991]

Was just wondering whether it would be safe to leave my 2.5" HDD loose at the bottom of my computer case if I lay it flat?

I know they are meant to be screwed in but is there any disadvantage to leaving them loose if you're not gonna be moving your pc at all

 

[jitpublisher]

Restricted airflow around the drive. Hard drives get hot, and heat kills them. That would be my first major worry.
The second of course the case shorting it out somehow, like a loose screw falling out of a component up above, or a similar issue that causes a direct short, and it bursting into flames, and burning the house down while you are away.

 

[jamesclark1991]

Ok so heat, shorting and fire are my worries. Got it, cheers