Glamgirl,
Backups are a good idea, as I learned some time ago to my grief. (Lost most of my emails. Don't use OE anymore, now.)
You have all sorts of choices, from programs you install to do complete system backups to an external media - such as an external Hard drive - down to just copying important docs and photos and profiles as you choose to a disk or even a USB drive.
Some of the programs include Acronis, Norton Ghost, Macrium reflect (free) and there are quite a few others.
Good idea to do it maybe once a week, or so.