I've ruined an IR2153 now. I remember having a zener on power + -//
I have powered the IC from a 16V 4A laptop adaptor.

 

The DP on a seven segment display. Somehow managed to connect it straight to the Vcc.

It makes a small bang but very little magic smoke gets released.

 

I've mashed a couple of small end mills by forgetting to connect the probe wires. The mill moves downward until it makes contact so it knows just where the PCB is. If there is no wire, there is no contact and the mill just keeps going heading for Australia until - ping - and the end of the mill tool flies across the room!