My 1st Rowenta was about $90 around 1997, and I only ironed some clothes weekly. About 6 months later I kept feeling like I had a fresh scratch on the underside of my wrist, but didn't see anything. Ditto the next week. Finally realized tiny copper wires I couldn't see were just barely sticking out from the cord and I was actually being mildly zapped! Rowenta was no help at all. Didn't buy another one for 10 years, and noticed there was a better cord attachment to the iron. Well, this one leaks. No more Rowentas for me! Thank you for the fire warning!