Well, I have ordered the Chi iron. Read reviews on 2 sites that helped make my mind up. It has 2 options for the auto-off. If it is standing up it will shut off after 30 or 60 minutes. If laying flat, 30-60 seconds. My habit was if the iron was standing up I knew it to be on, if laying in the cradle just off the ironing board it was off. Obviously those 2 days it was left on I didn't go with my normal habit. I won't need to worry about any dumpster divers on this iron as the cord is burnt thru. As to my ironing station I'd just put on new silver fabric about a week prior but bought enough to cover again. Will wait awhile before I recover it again though.

I also now have a surge protector installed above the ironing cradle and turn it off after use if its going to be awhile before I come back to use it. Still a bit rattled I guess.

As to the Chi iron, it comes with 4 options...........non-retractable cord with a dial, retractable cord with a dial, non-retractable with digital readout and retractable with digital readout. I chose the non-retractable cord with a dial as it was the least expensive in case it doesn't work as they say. Will let you all know what I think about this iron next week when it arrives.

Also thank you all for your concerns. I have learned to be more careful now in my older years. Also There is nothing else on this circuit so I don't have to worry about it interferring with a sewing machine. They are all on their own circuits on surge protectors in the other room. When I bought this house, I changed out the fuse box to circuit breakers asking for extra wall sockets on separate circuits in case I decide to have all my machines going at the same time. As I didn't know who or how the present wall plugs were installed I had to take a chance on them but this special type surge protector told me exactly what I had to work with cause as soon as I plugged it in it screamed "line fault" meaning the old type wiring......2-wire with no copper. My electrician tried to get past that but I prevailed on that issue.

Take care and thanks all for your suggestions and concerns.

I have heard several stories about appliances, etc. that have caused a fire even if they were turned off, but left plugged into the outlet. I am guilty of not unplugging every electrical device and I have been fortunate not to have had any fires. But these days, it seems we can't be too careful even with all the safety features.

That's a scary story, Suz! I'm glad you are ok, as you pointed out it could have been so much worse.

Rob

So glad you were there. You were so lucky. Years ago before the ones that turn themselves off a friend of mine forgot to turn hers off before leaving for a weekend, They lost their home.

To be absolutely safe, please unplug appliances at the outlet. I'm told that there is a "trickle" of electricity to anything that we leave plugged in--toaster, can opener, etc. I think surge protectors are just that--to protect from power surges. I wouldn't trust that there is no risk there. I like the suggestion of having a light on to remind a person to turn the iron off! It seems a lot of us have cats in our homes and I have concern that mine will jump up on the ironing board and knock the iron over, creating a fire hazard.

So glad to hear that it all ended OK. I occasionally leave my iron plugged in. That is why I won't buy one that doesn't have auto shut off. It is a pain sometimes but worth it for the safety to me. My sewing room is upstairs and since my kids are grown I am the only one who goes up there most of the time.

I've always had trouble with toasters, can openers, etc. so I don't keep them around. I use a hand can opener and it works just fine for me even with arthritis. My toaster oven is rarely used and when I leave for more than a day I unplug all my surge protectors that my machines are plugged into. I had a whole house surge protector installed on the breaker box but I don't know if they really work or not. Plus when we're having a storm I won't turn any of my machines on and usually unplug them just to be safe.

Another tip is those that use batteries.........when you're ready to toss them, wrap the ends with some sort of tape as there could be just enough juice left in them and if they come in contact with metal such as foil paper in the trash can, it could ignite them. I keep blue painter's tape in my sewing room and kitchen for that purpose.

I put a rubber band or a safety pin with a note on my sleeve to remind me to turn off the iron in my sewing room. Otherwise I will forget.

This happened to me a couple of years ago. The cord of the iron just burst into flame where it attaches to the iron. I had had a group of ladies in for a sewing day and we were just getting started when it happened. Someone had the presence of mind to turn the serge protector off rather than pull the plug out of the device. It all ended well but it was a scare for all of us. I borrowed an iron from someone who lives nearby. So, another iron purchase became necessary. I do not have good experience with iron and coffee makers!

Hi Suz in Iowa. I am sorry about your iron. Long time no talk to. Hope you are well and happy. Sherry in Ocoee