It doesn't take much time to train the cats to a spray of water.
Most of them seem to hate water in their faces.

Good luck with that. My Trouble cat loved the ironing board. My husband used to warm up the wide end for her when he ironed his shirt in the mornings. I used to pin my blocks to the ironing board to preview them. Trouble cat would one by one remove the pins and drop them on the floor. All the pins till the block(s)were on the floor. It was her ironing board. She's in furbaby heaven now, what I would give to have her back.
I guess you have to pick and choose your battles with kids and cats.

Spray with water is one option.

I recently watched a video where they put a sticky pad on the surface and when the cat jumped on it she did not like the feel of the sticky on her paws.

Another option would be to put something slick on the board that slides with the cat (preferrably off the board).

As long as you train the cat I would keep the iron off the board.

I think I will try the water bottle method on her.

When you are not using the board place marbles in a tin pan on the board. When they jump up it should make enough noise to scare them off. Once they are scared of it they won't bother it again.

My cat Tia used to take naps on my ironing board, but since I've been using the steam feature anytime I'm ironing she runs from the room.
A water bottle will do the trick on a cat!!
Sorry about your burn!

well keep her out of the room somehow. my three aren't allowed in my sewing room. had a time with my previous cat when he ate a tiny, tiny bit of poly stuffing. barium x-rays and enema!! not fun.

Mine doesn't like the sound the board makes when I open it and he doesn't like the sound of the iron ejecting steam - too much like a hiss, I guess. Chase him away when he even looks at the board, or gets anywhere near it! He will leave it alone, at least while you are around. I'm sorry about your arm. Take care!

OUCH! Get a spray bottle. That's what I do. Mine fell off too but luckily not towards me! So sorry you got a nasty burn. Put some aloe on it.

I have 2 cats. Black and white. The white one is long haired. She loves the ironing board. Get a water gun. Took to sprays. She doesn't love it anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!