My iron is an auto shut off too. I always unplug it when I have finished for the day. It does not have an off / on switch and when you dial it all the way down a red light stays lit and that makes me think it may not be all the way off. I am petrified that it may overheat and start a fire. You read these stories about coffee pots, toasters etc starting fires when not in use, so why not irons.