Clear the Clutter! Keep an eye out for clutter around stoves—as some people get older, they get less adamant about keeping their stove area clear.
Combustible items, such as wooden or plastic cooking utensils, dish cloths, paper towels, and pot holders, can easily ignite if they are too close to a burner—or if they're resting on a wrong burner that is turned on by accident.
All combustibles should be a safe distance from the stove.