I was told not to turn off the surge protector as it's only protecting when on, my other concern is if you turn off just the surge protector and not the machine first arn't you causing a surge when you turn the surge protecter back on. Just a thought from an over thinker.LOL I turn my machine off when I'm done for the day, I hardley ever unplug it it's on a surge protector, have not had any problems at all (knock no wood) and we lose power all the time.