Summer is all about barbecue. The National Fire Protection Association indicates that seven out of every 10 adults in the United States have a grill or smoker. While home fires are associated with such appliances, there’ s another danger associated with your backyard barbecue.

We’ re talking about those tiny, often invisible wire bristles that can break off from grill cleaning brushes. These sharp strands can cling to your grill grates, transfer to your food and lead to serious injuries if swallowed.

Consumer Reports states that thousands of people visit emergency rooms each year after having ingested wire bristles that stick to the grill surface and end up in cooked food.

Recently, a pediatric emergency doctor in St. Petersburg, Florida, posted a now-viral TikTok video explaining how a 4-year-old boy she treated developed ear pain after eating at a barbecue. It took a barrage of tests before doctors eventually determined the boy had a 2-centimeterlong metal wire lodged in his peritonsillar tissues in the throat( nearby to the ear, thus causing the pain) and an abscess had developed around it. The boy had been eating a hamburger, so it is presumed that a metal wire from a grill cleaning brush had become lodged in the burger and then in his throat.

Wire bristles also can wreak havoc in the stomach and intestines if they are consumed. Infections may occur, even leading to sepsis if not treated promptly.

Fortunately for avid grillers, they don’ t need to turn in their spatulas just yet and give up on grilling. In fact, embracing new ways to clean grills can ensure everyone gets to eat great food without getting sick.

• OPT FOR SAFER CLEANING TOOLS: pumice stones and coilshaped, bristle-free brushes, wooden scrapers and woven mesh brushes can effectively clean grills without employing wire bristle brushes

• USE OVEN CLEANER: rather than scrubbing, grab oven cleaner spray and use it on the grill; wipe off the residue when foods stuck on the grill dissolves

• RELY ON ALUMINUM FOIL OR AN ONION: aluminum foil wads can replicate the scouring power of steel-wool pads – wait for the grill to cool down a bit before using the foil to clean; or use tongs to scrub the grates with an onion while hot

• INSPECT THE GRILL AND FOOD: if you still use a wire brush, make sure to toss it if the bristles start to come loose; carefully inspect your grill grates for any stray bristles and wipe the grill down with a damp cloth prior to grilling to catch any bristles Taking measures to clean grills without wire brushes can ensure a season’ s worth of safe and delicious cooking.

SUMMER SAFETY & SKIN CARE ISSUE | JULY 2025 15 OURHEALTHNWA. COM