Thermal print head with auxiliary printer head guard

In a thermal print head having fragile components and including an integrated circuit and connections thereto, said fragile components, integrated circuit and connections being mounted on a substrate which is mounted on a support sink, and wherein said fragile electrical components and connections are protected by a primary guard disposed over the integrated circuit, said primary guard partially covering the substrate leaving an opening exposing said fragile components and connections to said integrated circuit, the improvement comprising an auxiliary guard disposed between said primary guard and said integrated circuit covering said integrated circuit and said fragile electrical components and connections, said auxiliary guard having a lip and sides defining an enclosure for said integrated circuit and the fragile components and connections thereto, said lip and sides having edges, said auxiliary guard having at least one of its said edges which faces said opening in contact with said substrate to prevent foreign objects from being introduced into said enclosure thereby preventing potential damage to said electrical components and connections.