It never occurred to me to turn off the machine. With my 301a, the fuzz in the bobbin area usually falls on the table as I sew so I just lightly brush the area. On my recent purchase of a vintage New Home with the front load bobbin, I brush the lint out everytime I reload the bobbin, it just seems the natural thing to do. Accidently turning on the machine has never been an issue, I keep my feet under my chair when I am not sewing.