Neon signs... can you leave 'em on?

[camarojoe]

Some of you guys with neon signs in your shop/garage... Do you leave them on 24/7 or shut them off when you aren't in the shop? Everyone tells me its fine (and maybe better for them) to leave them on, even when I'm not in the shop or even at home, but I'm a little nervous about them being on when I'm not around... are they safe? I'm not talking about a dozen signs, just 2 or 3, each plugged into their own outlets. I've been shutting them off any time I'm not standing right beside them, but I'm thinking It may be doing them more harm than good by not just letting them lit up. Just curious what you guys do.