I did have my iron plugged into an extension cord for stretch convenience. One day dh needed the extension and plugged it in used it and then.... Let's just say I discovered it still plugged in at least three days later. Iron still works but I did a slow melt down thinking of what could have happened and thanked God it did not. I do not ever turn my irons off. I make an effort to unplug them. A quick glance and I know it is off.