I don't always unplug, but will now. I remember when I had a high school girl staying with me, who always had the iron plugged in, even if the dial, which was on the top, was turned to the off position. She had a cat who jumped everywhere. I told her the cat could knock the iron down and cause the dial to move to the on position, and cause a fire. I think a good motto for us is to "Be aware, and beware".