It is always a smart thing to unplug everything from the wall if you are not using it!! No matter what it is, even if it is in the off position it is still pulling electricity. Therefore, you are keeping your electric bill higher and running the risk of "fire". I am so glad you were home, and so glad your heart is now back in your chest where it belongs!!! lol! :)

I have been told by many that most small electrical 'appliances' like irons, blenders and etc. are not meant to be plugged into an extension cord. I realize this incident had nothing to do with the extension cord, but I have followed that 'rule of thumb'.

understand about irons
 

Several years ago my mom was taking care of my grandmothers house after she passed. Well, mom has always turned off the iron but left it plugged in. She came to visit me about an hour away; before she got to my house I got a call that Grandmas house was on fire. The iron cord was melted to the wall of origin.
So you can guess, I use a surge protector and still unplug iron and turn off power cord. It is the last thing I unplug as I leave my sewing room at home. About the toaster, a principal's family back home in WV lost the kitchen to his home b/c of the coffee pot so same idea. So the microwave is the only small appliance I leave plugged in in the kitchen. I put those little cup hooks in the wall or cabinets near the item and when I unplug it hangs over the cup hook so I can do a quick visual sweep before leaving each day. As always I thank you folks for the information. Teresa

Oh my! Thanks for the reminder warning. Irons can be scary.

Very scary Tammy! I'm glad you, your heart, and your house are safe! I unplug my iron and have the issue about it being so hard to unplug, it can work the outlet loose. Hubby had to remove the plate from the receptacle and tighten the screws in there. The contractor was supposed to do that when he built the house but we noticed most of them were loose!

Maybe we should decide clothes look better with wrinkles and do away with the scary irons! j/k of course.

Thanks for the reminder. We use many items with electrical cords, not only in the sewing area but just about every other area in our homes.

My ironing cord lays on the countertop in my sewing room. I can see all of it while I'm sewing. I turn it off when not in use. Thanks for the warning.

To eliminate wear on the iron cord from plugging and unplugging, I bought one of those hard plastic 3 outlet multiplier things. I leave my iron plugged into it all the time. I plug in the multiplier and unplug it instead of the iron. I also have a blue nightlight plugged into it so if the light is on, I remember to unplug that handy gadget and know that if the light is off, so is the iron and there is no wear on the iron cord and plug since it stays plugged in.

Good advice to check those cords. Many years ago I had set my hair and dried it under a dryer at home (remember those days, girls?). I happened to look at the tube of air going up to my head and it was on fire! I was able to act quickly and put out the small fire on the tube. We have to be careful in this day and age too, where things are being made more cheaply.

Yikes. That is scary about the Rowenta. I have used them for years, but never any problem. I always unplug mine when I leave the sewing room.