Illinois arson teams investigated more than 350 arson fires last year.  Jessica Blackford, with the State's Fire Marshall's Office, says 43 of those were started by children.

[audio:rddArson1.mp3] [/audio]

State fire officials are urging parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of candles, matches, lighters, and other fire devices.

[audio:rddArson2.mp3] [/audio]

The state is urging parents to use matches, lighters, candles, and other fire starting tools cautiously.  They also want parents to teach teens to respect these devices and show them how to handle them in a safe way.   More than a billion dollars in damages were reported across the nation last year, thanks to fires started by youth.  Three thousand injuries are linked to those fires.