I could have burned down the house!

I really worry about myself sometimes. I failed to turn off a burner on the stove after cooking dinner. I find this easy to do with gas burners because I usually notice if it's on or off by seeing if there is a little blue flame or not. Well when it is on a low heat, I sometimes don't see the tiny flame with just a glance. After dinner I was washing dishes. I washed the plastic trays to Kilynn's highchair, and then threw them over on the stove to dry. Then, I took the compost out to the garden. I got distracted out in the garden and started thinning onions. By and by I heard a little banging around going on in the kitchen, then some water running. I kept on thinning and wondering what Joseph was up to. Soon Joseph stuck his head out the door, smiled and in a sing song voice said, "Ivy dear could you come here please?" I walked into a smokey house that smelled of burnt plastic. Luckily Joseph had been in the living room playing with Kilynn. He heard sputtering and crackling and went into the kitchen to find flames above the stove almost up to the overhead microwave. Luckily we had just bought a big thing of baking soda and luckily he knew where I put it! What would have happened if we had gone on a walk or something like we often do after dinner?! I was sick all night thinking about it. As it is, there was no damage other than melted plastic that was a PAIN to clean up and we had to throw away the highchair trays. We had to open up all the windows and doors to get the toxic smell of burnt plastic out. Joseph had to leave for scouts and Kilynn and I had to spend the evening outside on a very long walk. It could have been bad, but I guess I need close calls like this every now and then to teach me a lesson about paying attention and being more careful. I'm glad someone watches out for me!