<SYSTEM_TASK:>
Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
<END_TASK>
<USER_TASK:>
Description:
 def _check_params(ignored_variables, ignored_interactions):
 """Helper for sample methods"""


    if ignored_variables is None:
        ignored_variables = set()
    elif not isinstance(ignored_variables, abc.Container):
        ignored_variables = set(ignored_variables)

    if ignored_interactions is None:
        ignored_interactions = set()
    elif not isinstance(ignored_interactions, abc.Container):
        ignored_interactions = set(ignored_interactions)

    return ignored_variables, ignored_interactions