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I unplug mine because of the computer feature. Same as a computer or laptop. They can be damaged by power surges. Y
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I have all my machines plugged into a serge protector.
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On the same subject, do you know that the most common cause of home fires is the dryer! Not only does cleaning the filter after every load make the dryer more efficient, but lint build up is extremely flamable.
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Originally Posted by janeknapp
I was told that a surge protector only works if it is turned on.
So, turning everything off with the surge protector leaves all of those items unprotected. I was like you, sweetpea, until a storm in which I had pulled the iron and sewing machine plugs and left in the tall Ottlite. Lightning hit a tree outside our yard which fell on power lines. It took out a ceiling fan, microwave, and the black box on the Ottlite. I now unplug everything when I leave the area. You could also pull the plug on the surge protector. |
I just noticed the other day that the user manuals for my old singers all say to unplug the machine when not in use.
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I always unplugg everything except for the alarm clock (wish I could some mornings at 5am) large appliances and the tv's which are on surge protectors.. Everything else is unplugged. Toaster, hairdryer, Iron, coffee pot.
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Besides fire, incase of a power failure it will protect your machine from a power surge that could possibly destory it. Especially the kind with computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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We had a friend that had his coffee pot on and dozed off in his recliner. The coffee pot started a kitchen fire and he had to redo his whole kitchen.
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Thanks for sharing, it's a timely reminder.
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Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have not been in the habit of unplugging my machine when I am finished sewing, but I think I will now!
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I always unplug my sewing machine, lamp, toaster...anything I can reach easily. I never leave the house or go to bed with the washer, dryer, or dishwasher running. I guess I'm too cautious. Just don't want to have any problems.
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It is also a way of saving on electricity....if something is not plugged in it is not 'demanding' electricity and your electric bill will go down.... (or so they say)
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I unplug everything...toaster, iron, electric heaters, and my sewing machines. With the appliances I worry about a fire, but with my sewing machine I worry about a power surge through the house, or my animals chewing the cord.....they never have in the past, just wouldn't want to replace $150 pedal. My brother had a power surge run through his house after a near by lightning strike, and it fried everything that was plugged in...even when it was in a surge protector. Lost his computers, stereos, tv etc. I am very careful now.
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I don't use foot pedals and also all of my machines are on a secure surge protector which has $50,000 insurance against faulty things happening to our machines.
Been using surge protectors for years for all my electrical equipment from computers, craft machines, tv's and more. |
Thanks for the information. I always turm off the surge protector strip, but didn't know I had to unplug the strip.
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Surge Protectors do not always work, lost a computer and all my data. Had to spend a lot of money to get information back....you need to back up....Newer ones are better than older ones, however they are far from perfect....I would unplug and feel better every time....and buy a back-up drive and back up my computer....or subscribe to an off site servce for data....believe me when those pictures are gone...they are gone !!!!
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I always unplug my machines to protect them from lightening too. A surge protector is not always effective, so I just make it a habit to turn it off and unplug it right at the machine instead of the plug that goes into the wall. Easier to plug in again too.
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Thanks for a good reminder.
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I always unplug in case of an electrical storm. You never know.
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I always unplug my machines. The computerized ones don't need to be hit with a surge of power even though they are on a surge protector. Better to be safe than sorry.
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I have my machine and my light on a power strip, which I turn off when I leave the studio. Light serves as a reminder to turn it off, so serves a dual purpose.
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Originally Posted by pgthom
I have my machine and my light on a power strip, which I turn off when I leave the studio. Light serves as a reminder to turn it off, so serves a dual purpose.
It also won't protect it from a lightning strike or a power surge from a tree falling and taking out wires and a transformer. It will run through the wires even when off. |
Originally Posted by MacThayer
I have my sewing machine, iron and a nearby lamp on a surge protector, and I automatically shut it off when I'm not using them. Is that enough?
In fact, practically everything in this house is on a surge protector. We were hit by lightening a few years back, and even though the house was properly grounded, the lightening was so close, it blackened an outside and inside wall, blew a wall lamp off the wall, and fried every electronic we had plugged in, even if it wasn't on, except for a couple things like the fridge and range which had built in surge protectors. And I mean every electronic! My husband had a home office, and that meant his fax, copier, scanner, and 2 computer were history. We lost every TV in the house, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Even the blow dryer for my hair blew up. You can see why we use surge protectors now! I remember when it hit. This shock of electricity hit me, knocked me down, and my hair stood on end. Scared the heck out of the dog. It wasn't funny. And I never leave the house with anything running: dryer, dishwasher, TV, nothing. If anyone knows if turning off a surge protector would prevent a fire, I'd love to know. |
Originally Posted by humbird
In tonight's local news paper was an artical about a home fire, resulting in quite a lot of damage. They say the likely cause was a defective foot pedal on a sewing machine, which overheated, and started a fire on the carpet. No one was home at the time so the fire really took hold before neighbors noticed smoke. I usually unplug my machine when not in use, but did go in and check to make sure I had last time I used it. Something to think about.
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Thank you for sharing. I don't unplug but it isn't a bad idea to do that.
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Thanks so much for this thread. I unplug a lot of things but my DH does not :(
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I have my machines pluged in to a surge strip and always turn the strip off when I leave the room. I wonder if this is good enough. Should I unplug the machines from the strip? Any suggestions?
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After my sister's house was struck by lightening during a storm and they lost all their appliances/TV's, I started unplugging my sewing machines when I was done each day just in case. I don't care about the TV's, etc. - my sewing machines are a priority!
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I always unplug my sewing machines! Storm came through once and burned my power lift on cabinet! You are always using electricity when anything is plugged into an outlet! Too risky anymore!
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Originally Posted by clsurz
I don't use foot pedals and also all of my machines are on a secure surge protector which has $50,000 insurance against faulty things happening to our machines.
Been using surge protectors for years for all my electrical equipment from computers, craft machines, tv's and more. |
I read this and then I ran all over the house unplugging anything and everything. DH started to holler at me when I unplugged his ballgame. Who would've thunk?????
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Be sure to unplug your irons, too. My daughter keeps hers in the walk in closet in the master bedroom. One morning as she was getting ready for work, it sparked and could have set the house on fire if she hadn't heard it and seen it spark. Luckily, she hadn't left for work yet, thank goodness!
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I do unplug my sewing machine. I had vepco put a wrong
part in the their pole, and it destroyed everything in my house,except my sewing machine(it was not pluged in). 3 houses were on this pole. All smelled and really bad. The vepco workers came over and said sorry, call Vepco and they would replace everything. The office said they are never responsible, I went up the line to 4 different people worked on it 3 weeks. Called Others:goverment offices, TV, & lawers all said Vepco and verizon no one can fight or win. They wouldn't take. We had to use homeowners they tried too! But home owners insurance paid. My spa (outside) computers,5 TV's, washer dryer, hotwater heater,clock, toaster, Mic.wave, phones, big frezzer, etc. Do you know how many things are plugges in all the time. But they paid a amount and subtracted yrs. of use. I think we got 150. - 50.00 for tv's expample. number of years used,etc. |
Hi Billy, Long time no talk my friend. How are you and Val doing? I'm missing your expertise, that's for sure as well as all of your posts! Seems that you are slowly getting in the game again. Soon my DH and I will be referring to your tutes on refurbishing a 66 treadle.
I always unplug appliances at night or when going out of the house. |
After reading every post on this subject, you guys have convinced me to start unplugging everything. I've lucked out in the past, but sure don't want to take any more chances, especially with my computerized machines. Thank you so much for the input.
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I also unplug both my sewing machine and iron after every session. I also use a serge protector with both. After a friend had an electrical fire from leaving her toaster plugged into the wall socket, I unplug stuff when I'm not using it.
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Originally Posted by anniesews
I have my machines pluged in to a surge strip and always turn the strip off when I leave the room. I wonder if this is good enough. Should I unplug the machines from the strip? Any suggestions?
Either unplug your items from the strip after turning them off or unplug the strip from the wall after all of the machines/light/iron are turned off. |
Originally Posted by MacThayer
I have my sewing machine, iron and a nearby lamp on a surge protector, and I automatically shut it off when I'm not using them. Is that enough?
In fact, practically everything in this house is on a surge protector. We were hit by lightening a few years back, and even though the house was properly grounded, the lightening was so close, it blackened an outside and inside wall, blew a wall lamp off the wall, and fried every electronic we had plugged in, even if it wasn't on, except for a couple things like the fridge and range which had built in surge protectors. And I mean every electronic! My husband had a home office, and that meant his fax, copier, scanner, and 2 computer were history. We lost every TV in the house, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Even the blow dryer for my hair blew up. You can see why we use surge protectors now! I remember when it hit. This shock of electricity hit me, knocked me down, and my hair stood on end. Scared the heck out of the dog. It wasn't funny. And I never leave the house with anything running: dryer, dishwasher, TV, nothing. If anyone knows if turning off a surge protector would prevent a fire, I'd love to know. |
This is a hair drier story with same moral. For fifteen years I have been leaving my hair drier plugged in, and I hang it around the post which holds the tilting bureau mirror, right over the bureau where all my cosmetics, sprays, etc etc. are. It's in the bathroom and we put a sink into the bureau. So convenient.
Well, I came by the house during the day to pick up some stuff and let the dog out and I heard what I thought was the bathroom fan in our bedroom - went up to turn off the fan light and when I opened the door...there was my hair drier blasting on HIGH! It had already melted one of my plastic bottles! Evidently the cord on the drier is linked to the on-off switch and the weight of the drier pulled the cord which pulled the switch!! Needless to say I don't do that any more. I disposed of the evidence and have not said a word to DH. I already give him enough to worry about LOL he doesn't need that. |
That's really scary! I'm so glad that I unplug my machines when they aren't being used. I was always just worried about a power surge going through them. I never even thought of a short causing a fire.
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