Today I learned that it can be really bad to leave the vacuum cleaner parked in one place while you use the hose and attachments.
Some vacuums have a separate switch that lets you turn those carpet beater things on and off. This is handy. Mine is not in that price and function range.
While I was using the attachments to clean under my desk (a noble pursuit), the rug beaters were beating the crap out of the pretty fringe on my expensive wool rug!
Park it somewhere safe! Somewhere flat and uncarpeted!
Jane's Lessons Learned 