I, also use a power strip, but have lamps along with an iron with an auto shut off plugged into it. I rely on my auto shut off because I've had that kind so long that it is a habit to use it w/o worrying if I shut it off after I leave the house. But, I have sewing friends who dislike them very much indeed. I am on the lookout for an old timey, solid plate iron for pressing so there are no imprints of steam holes in my quilt pieces and it would just be a special use iron not my main iron.