THE ILLINOIS STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS OFFERING SOME TIPS FOR SAFE SUMMER GRILLING. 

MORE THAN 10 THOUSAND HOME FIRES ACROSS THE U-S ARE STARTED BY A GRILL EACH YEAR. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO TAKE A FEW PRECAUTIONS SAYS FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ. THAT INCLUDES ONLY USING GAS AND CHARCOAL GRILLS OUTSIDE AND NEVER LEAVING THEM UNATTENDED.

FULTZ SAYS YOU SHOULD ALSO MAKE SURE YOUR GRILL IS CLEAN AND FREE OF BUILT UP GREASE AND WAIT UNTIL CHARCOALS COOL BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM IN A METAL CONTAINER.

FULTZ SAYS NEARLY 20 THOUSAND PEOPLE VISIT THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH GRILLING INJURIES EACH YEAR.