I really don't get how anyone can 'grab the wrong end' of an iron.
It's not like the ends look the same in any way.
Slipping with the iron and touching it to skin on the other hand, sure, i've done that many times.
Oh, and on the subject of hot glue burns.. The trick with hot glue is really simple.
If you get it on your skin, RUB IT IN!!
Seriously, rubbing it in massively spreads out the surface area and it cools down to non-burn temp almost instantly.
It still hurts but doesn't keep hurting.
Once you start doing this you will never get burnt with hot glue again.