sorry you got burned...i do not even try to keep my cat off the board, it is one of his favorite places to hang out when i'm sewing. i have a (bracket-holder) that attaches to the wall, over my ironing board, it is metal, and made to hold your iron (and cord) i hang my iron on the wall so i do not have to worry about it falling or the cat getting hurt the holder is made for a hot iron, you can have it plugged in and hot, iron is ready to grab at any time but secure on the wall, not on a surface where it can be knocked off.
put some aloe gel on your burn!