How do I turn off my phone? This might be a dumb question but found some links online which just look dangerous so I better ask.

I have a HTC Wildfire S. How can I turn it off? Is just removing the battery safe? 

I want to shut down before I remove the batery. Is there a way to do that?
Try pressing and holding the Power button.  This should bring up a dialog box with several options, once of them being to turn off the phone.