Like all or most of you, I always unplug iron AND sewing machine (just in case there is power surge, even tho the machine is on a power strip.) I NEVER NEVER NEVER leave the house with the dryer running. My neighbor was doing laundry one day and her dryer caught on fire. Luckily she was home to call the Fire Dept. But she still had a lot of damage. Could have burnt her whole place down plus damage to neighbors houses. It seems that even though you keep your lint trap clean, some of it still manages to escape to the output hose. When dryer gets hot enough it CAN cause that to catch on fire..... better safe than sorry! unless you want a new house LOL !!! and r well insured.