Visiting some 60 y/o friends who are kind of "country people" I have noticed they have a habit of unplugging their dry coffee maker whenever not in use.

My wife and I, as avid, coffe drinkers, have for over 30 years always left our (turned off) coffee maker plugged in. Every office I ever worked in has done the same with the coffee maker in the break room.

I'm thinking this is actually an old wives tale?

(incidentally, I notice they think nothing of leaving cheapo chinese christmas lights and other lighted decorations on all over the house 24/7 during the entire Xmas season though - wich seems to me if one is worried about fire hazards seems a far greater risk)