Am I risking infection?

[GaryG]

My coopers kit told me I needn't bother sanitising the first time I used the kit, just rinse in warm water.

 

[rpt]

I always leave my caps in a bowl of Starsan while bottling. The short exposure isn't going to do any harm to the metal. I'm not surprised that people get away with not sanitising caps or bottles or even other brewing gear. But it's so easy to do that I don't see the point of risking it. But I wouldn't worry about it if I forgot.