tip of the day
 

I do not have an iron that turns itself off. I don't want one either as I want it ready to use when I'm piecing. But occasionally I forget to turn it off/unplug it and that scares me, especially if I'm leaving the house. I've taken to the idea of putting a chair in front of the door when I plug the iron in. It's a good reminder to not leave without unplugging the iron.

I agree that unplugging the iron after using it is "safer" than just "turning it off".

I had an iron that "turned itself off" - and I set it down on the floor to clear off the ironing board - not realizing that just moving it would turn it back on - I now have a melted spot on the carpet.

So - even with a self-shutting off iron - I also unplug it when it is not in use.

Another idea is to plug your iron into a power strip that also has a light plugged into it. When you turn the power strip on, the light and iron both come on. When you are done, turn the power strip off, light turns off and so does the iron. If you see the light on when passing your sewing/crafts room/area, you will know your iron is still on.

I like to unplug my iron when not using......but, I have concluded, it is better for me to have an iron that shut off too as I have gone back in the room to find my iron still plugged (meaning I forgot to unplugg it). I am getting older, I don't suspect my memory will improve! It doesn't take much time to get it back on, when I go back to the iron, I just automatically pick it up and gently shake it before I put my fabric on the ironing board and arrange it for ironing. I keep my iron away from my sewing area as it is better for me to move around a bit but I do usually piece in batches and then take the whole batch to the board to iron.

I had one of those old irons that didn't turn off by itself, got it at a garage sale for $1. Got super hot which I liked too. But others have mentioned they occasionally forgot to turn it off. I did that a couple times, once for 2 days when I finally realized it. The following week I turned it on to use it and as I was pressing some fabric, it caught fire right where the cord goes into the iron itself. Sparks flying too and some dropped right onto my pressing board. Had just put a new silver type fabric cover on it too the week before. I pulled the cord out of the wall quickly and doused the ironing board with water as the batting under the silver fabric is cotton. Got lucky as I didn't get burned during the process. Boy was that a wake up call for me. Got myself a new iron with a auto shut-off which I still hate but rather be safe than sorry. I also added a surge protector and have the new iron plugged into it. I turn the iron off thru the surge protector button as I notice that light when its on. That was a close call for me as my house is over 120yo and made of wood. I tell folks that live near me that if they ever see my house on fire, grab the cats and brings out the marshmallows and hotdogs cause I doubt the firemen will get here in time to save it. We have a volunteer fire dept so you're looking at least 20-30 minutes before they response I suspect.

I unplug my iron automatically and just wait for it to warm up again. That gives me the opportunity to look over my seam and be sure I did not miss anything. I would be glad to be safer than sorry.

I leave my shoes in my quilt room….so have to go back in there before going out. Reminds me to check that iron is unplugged and sewing machine is off.

You could also use a elastic band that you could use on the cord when using iron simply slip the elastic on your wrist, stuff like this helps me.

I have a gaudy, awful bracelet I found at the dollar store that I slip on when I turn on the iron, lol.

I am a habit type person. I unplug the iron and then turn off the light above the sewing machine. If for some reason I forget, the light reminds me at bedtime to go in and turn it off when I go up the stairs.

I have my iron and an floor lamp plugged into a power strip on the wall. I turn them on the off with the power strip. That way if the light is on, so is the iron. I can tell whether or not I've left it on without even going in the room. I've done this for years. Works well for me.

For some strange reason, every outlet in my sewing room is connected to the light switch by the door. (Except for one, so I think it was just all wired wrong.) Even though I have a auto shut off iron, the power is shut off when I flip the wall switch.

I have a small wicker basket with some paper piecing patterns in it and I set that on the floor in the door way when I have the iron on.

I like this idea! This is the kind of thing I do. I have been known to turn around from a mile down the street to go back and make sure the stove and iron are off, and the back door is locked. They always are, lol.
ETA - I used to have an auto shut-off iron but I never trusted it. Always unplugged it.

I like my auto-shut off iron. It doesn't take long to warm up. No worries.

I do the power strip plan. Mine has a light in the switch of the power strip that’s very visible when it’s on. And it’s right by the door. I'm also a creature of habit. When I leave the room, I always glance over to see if the switch is on or off.

I plug my machine and iron into a power strip. I put duct tape over the machines on/off strip then to turn off my machine I must turn off the power strip. It works since I turn off my machine when not sewing.

This is what I do, so far never left the light on so iron is not on either.

Iron turns off but on takes a few seconds for it to warm up when I am using it.

As barbaraodle47, Patrice and others have suggested, I too use the power strip method as a reminder. The lights on my sewing table and indeed my sewing machine are on that power strip. I have to turn the power strip off to turn off the lights, hence then if the primary lighting for the sewing center are off then so too is the iron. Works for me.

That is how my iron is set up, with the lamp at the ironing board to see better while using the iron. When I finish, the power strip is turned off and all is safe.