I like my keyboard except that if I press the F1 key without the function modifier it goes into sleep mode instantly. I make the mistake periodically because it's so close to the escape key. Is there any way to change that? 

In most of the laptops, u will find an option called turn off
accelerated keys from bios, doing which will make function keys work
without holding the fn key. that way your problem will be solved and u
will have an easy way to access the function keys once turned off, u
have to use FN + f1 to put your laptop to sleep.