Leaving a tea kettle on a hot burner can damage the kettle and possibly cause a fire.

But a tea kettle with a loud whistle can prompt a person's memory that water is boiling on the stove before the kettle boils dry.

Just make sure the whistle on the tea kettle is still working and is loud enough so it can be heard from another room. Do realize, however, that persons used to using a saucepan to boil water may not be able to learn how to use a kettle.

Check regularly to see whether the person can use a tea kettle safely. At some point, the person may be unable to:

• Safely use the stovetop
  
  
• Remember the purpose of the whistle and respond appropriately
  
  
• Safely carry and pour a pot of boiling water