Using a clean cloth to periodically wipe down the engine is a good way to get familiar with the engine while keeping it clean. If a hose cracks, don't skimp on quality when you replace it. Silicone hoses cost more, but are worth the extra investment. Cheaper hoses can dry rot and become so brittle that they can be torn apart with bare hands. Before you balk at the prices of replacement parts, remember that this equipment is your safety net.
Belts fall into the same category as hoses.
Check to see that they are not cracking or glazed. Keep an eye out for things such as broken bolts or nuts that may have loosened or fallen off. Also make sure that electrical connections are tight and corrosion-free. This is the little weighted cover that keeps rain, snow and insects out of the exhaust pipe when the engine isn't running. It doesn't seem like much, but a clogged exhaust pipe can run down a battery in no time.