Because the socket where I plug in my shredder is SO difficult to get to, I leave it plugged in. It occurred to me one day that it was within the realm of possibility that one of my kitties (I'm looking at YOU, O'Keefe) *could* step down on the On button, slip, and run a paw into the teeth of the thing. Even though it was VERY unlikely, just the *thought* horrified me so much I went and found the Chief Mischief-maker and gave her extra hugs and pettins. So I put a 9 x 13 cake pan upside down over the top of the thing. That makes it much less likely.