The Fear of a Short Circuit and Driving Myself Crazy

A few months ago, I recently started a routine of using a heating pad on my sore back. I hate to admit it, but it really helps with my back problems. I turn the thing on right before I go to bed, and over here in Germany, it gives me the added cozy effect, especially when hubby is gone. Well, I had to scare myself by watching some kind of Animal Heroes program on TV yesterday.

You see, I sometimes forget to turn the thing off...sometimes at night, right before I drift off to sleep, but even more so in the morning, after I get up...which is even scarier. Why? Cause I just watched this pug-faced cat save her owner because she fell asleep with a heating pad on her shin splints and it short circuited. It started to burn and smolder, and if the cat hadn't woken her up, I guess it would've burned through her leg, the bed and possibly the house before she noticed it!

Needless to say, I am paranoid about using the heating pad again...and I look around at all these powerstrips around the house...constantly on...am I putting my family at risk? Of course when you google, "house fire and short circuit", all kinds of articles and stories come up. I guess what I'd like to know, will a lamp plugged in and turned off ever short circuit? What about any other electrical item in my house? Or does there have to be electrical juice running to the item, such as in a powerstrip? If anyone knows the answer, please enlighten me before I make myself crazy trying to figure it out!