Static electricity can fry chips and other sensitive devices. I worked in the semiconductor industry for years and I recall the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) pictures that we were shown of PN junctions that were destroyed by static electricity.

You can also buy anti-static wrist straps, which I use, fairly cheap. One end fits over your wrist and the other end gets clipped to anything metal that is grounded. I usually clip it to the computer chassis cover screws or bolts. These are grounded via the 3 prong power cord.