I always unplug the machine. Then I bring my Ott light around or lay the machine on its side if necessary.

Yikes I haven't but never thought of the consequences mentioned here. Will I next time I clean my bobbin .. don't know. I clean my bobbin pretty often, every time my bobbin runs out of thread.

Wow, thanks for posting this...never thought about it, but this could happen to me.

I actually turn my machine ON to clean the bobbin area/oil it. I can't see without that light...

If I'm changing the needle, I do leave the needle out until I'm done, but I don't remove it. I usually lift my foot onto the chair so that I can't accidentally press the foot. Maybe I need to start unplugging the foot so I don't have that to worry about. My bobbin runs on a separate motor (awesome during embroidery since I can wind a bobbin for my next color while it sews) so I can't use that tip.

I don't usually turn it off either. I really need the light to see what I'm doing, though I could use my Ott light beside it or something. Just lazy, I guess. 8)

I don't worry about turning the sewing machine off, because I can be careful with it, but the longarm has a very fast speed and is easy to start up accidentally, so I've learned to turn it off before I clean and oil it. Well, I've almost learned to do it. A few more near misses with my fingers and the needle and I'll completely learn that lesson.

never thought of turning it off while cleaning the bobbinarea......

I had to change out the bobbin in my new quilting machine and I DID turn it off before doing so. I'm not too "comfortable" with it yet since I've had it for less than a week. So not sure if I'll always turn it off in the future when changing/cleaning bobbin area..but it might be the safest thing to do.

I turn it off and use my otto light and then a small light I have to make sure I got all the lint removed. Better safe than sorry is my philosophy when it comes to electricity.

If I need to do something to my sewing machine I turn it off and unplug the cord so i can move it around easily, my long arm I do not it is hooked to a computer and would be a pian to turn off between needle changes and oiling....