Went to check on my iron. My Sunbeam is made in China thumbdown: but no lead. I would just cover the handle. I don't trust any small appliances, toasters, irons, curling irons. When I worked in the salon for many years, I just unplug the multi plug outlet. I placed it on the vanity/workstation so I could see it wasn't on. One look is all I needed. It doesn't take that long for a small appliance to heat up. I turn all appliances off and still unplug. When I leave the house for the day and know I'm going to be gone awhile, I unplug my sewing machines by unplugging the multi plug from the wall. It's been stormy lately and I'm not taking chances.