When I'm in here sewing there can be as many as 10 switches/appliances to turn off. As I leave the room often during a sewing session, I decided to protect things without turning off. All computers are on heavy duty surge protectors that can withstand a lightning storm. Most of the outlets are behind something so there's lots of surge protector/power strips. Makes it much easier to turn off iron, lights, etc.

A friend who doesn't close her rotary cutter and cuts toward herself make me and many other nervous. When she's here, I set up a cutting station next to her sewing station. So she rarely uses my larger cutting station. And I do close her rotary cutter if she leaves it open in my territory. I respect her right to be different, at her station.

Rules were made to be broken, so I do not have any!!

This happened to a guild some years ago. A beginner quilter was being taught how to cut fabric, left on her own and got a nasty cut. She sued the guild, the members instructing her and the guild's building where they met, saying she was never offered a safety device or told to use one. It came down to the insurance of the building where the guild met settled with the woman. It caused a lot of stress and anxiety for the guild members. One more reason I will never let anyone cut in my home without a safety device. You never know when lawyers and insurance get together.

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a good idea to have, especially for anything computerized where you might need to save your work before shutting down in case of a storm. But take my word for it, there is absolutely nothing, no surge protectors, no UPS, that will protect your electronics in case of a lightning strike near you. The surge will go through your electronics and fry everything, so if you are in a storm-prone area, your best bet is to simply unplug your electronics until the storm has passed.

other than safety, which is a no brainer, for me "in quilting nothing is written in stone" there are many ways to do each step so find what works best for you, and do it, just have fun while your at it.

Actually - safety does require thinking - sometimes what one thinks can be harmless - can be a hazard.

An example: I had a cat that liked to get into my thread. He had thread wrapped around his toes. Fortunately, one of the granddaughters spotted it and we "rescued" him. I learned to put a pillow case over the serger so his little paws could not get at the threads.

Holding pins in one's mouth - not a good idea.

I learned that my cold "auto-shut-off iron" - turned itself back on when I moved it and set it on the floor while I was clearing off my ironing board. Fortunately, I was there and smelled it melting the carpet - but I am not happy with the scar in the carpet.
I should have unplugged it first - but it was cold!

Look at the labels on containers. Sometimes containers can be very similar - and the contents are not! I am not going to explain that one again!

I don't think she meant safety doesn't require thinking, I believe she meant staying safe and being careful is an obvious rule. But I get your point that sometimes danger and unsafe conditions can rise from the oddest places.

And what I meant was that sometimes I overlook the "obvious" -! And sometimes I even think I am somewhat intelligent- and then I do a "did you remember to engage your brain when you did (or did not) do that"!!!!

safety in the sewing room
 

so sorry did not mean to make you angry, what I meant by by no brainer, is safety comes first and always! Safety is the very first thing I teach in my classes, for every thing in the room, sewing machine, rotary cutters, seam rippers, pins, irons, needles, scissors, chairs, and to not leave matts in the sun, and the same goes for things in dye shed, you have to learn how to use each item the right way with no harm to your self or others.

Boy how I agree with this!

In personal opinion: My money, my fabric, my time I will do what I want.
Regardless if someone else doesn't like it, if I feel it is important to me.than
don't give me your opinion if I don't ask for it.