MacThayer

I have my iron on a "power surge protector" that I can turn on and off. That way, if I'm not going to be using the iron for a little while, I just turn off the surge protector and no electricity goes to the iron. When not sewing, the iron is put away, so of course it's unplugged then.

I learned about the surge protectors when our house was hit by lightening and it blew out all of the electronics in the house except the few who had surge protectors (stove, laundry machines, fridge). Fortunately, I just happened to have my sewing machine unplugged when it happened. It was so strong it blew 2 wall lamps right off the wall and left burnt streaks in the wall board. We lost every appliance that was plugged in, including every TV, several kitchen appliances, some lights, and my husband's copier, printer and fax machine. I've been obsessive about keeping everything that cannot be unplugged on a surge protector, and keeping things like the coffeemaker, iron, sewing machine, and other small appliances unplugged between use.

kydeb

I've started keeping my iron, sewing machine, etc. all plugged into serge protectors. Before I leave the room, I make sure I have turned them all off. I started doing this after someone on here mention that a sewing machine foot (older machine - no on/off switch) had caught fire. Better safe than sorry!!

lildinks2013

Got mine in a zip strip,but after reading this article,i unplugged it. Wow thx for the warning.

Painiacs

Since you and I talked off and on and you told me what happened i always unplug my irons. scary we have sooo manappliances plugged in our homes! I do leave toaster plugged in, sewing machine we have gfi plugs in home plus i use those stips you plug into. Its sooo scary! Im terrified of fires too! Im glad you caught the hot iron! Is it the self cleaning that did it? Mine are basic irons. Glad your quilting and doing well! Hope your doing ok, pm me and we will catch up!

Pam B

Good advice! I do always unplug my iron and my machines when I'm not using them. It is just a really good habit to get in to. So glad you were right there when your iron started acting up this time! That is really freaky!

Maureen NJ

We had an experience and I wouldn't completely trust surge protectors either. We had an electronic invisible dog fence which we no longer used (we had a cyclone fence put in) but we failed to disconnect. Our neighbors had lightning strike a huge 70 year old pine tree and travel down through the roots to the dog fence wire and into our garage where it blew the plastic cover on the controller 10 feet away and also went into the electrical system of our house. It damaged 2 computers with surge protectors plus several other things, including the sprinkler system. Scary!

Maureen NJ

Oldpiglady, forgot to add I'm so happy you were there to prevent another fire. Take care!

mcdaniel023

I remember and am so glad you didn't have repeat. Scary!

tessagin

I unplug all my small appliances and where I can see them. That way I can make a quick run through on my way out the door. When I was a hairdresser we had multiple plug-ins on strips. I would just unplug that strip. That way I knew all my irons and dryers were in safe mode (OFF).

IrishgalfromNJ

I always have to unplug and put the hot iron in the bathroom with the door closed to keep my nosey kitties away from it. Sorry to hear you are having problems with your iron. Please be careful and thanks for the warning.