Have you inspected your barbecue brush?
With warmer weather finally upon us, many Atlantic Canadians are getting out their grills.
“It’s a good time to remind people of barbecue safety, especially around using wire cleaning brushes,” says Andy Hulan, product safety officer at Health Canada, Atlantic region. “Over time, they can lose their bristles, and if swallowed, can cause serious health problems.”
Hulan says that there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks.
Barbecue brush safety
• Always inspect your brush for signs of damage.
• Check grills and barbecued food for loose bristles.
• Replace your brush on a regular basis.
• Stop using your brush if the bristles are coming loose or sticking to the grill.
• Report any incidents involving wire barbecue brushes to Health Canada as well as to the store where you bought it.
Hulan also notes that you should make sure your barbecue is in good working order, especially if it has been sitting in storage. “Do a spot check for blocked burners or metal tubes and damaged seals,” says Hulan. “And always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for usage and cleaning.”
Child safety
It’s also important to make sure that little ones stay clear of the barbecue at all times. Hulan recommends that you check out Health Canada’s booklet, Is Your Child Safe?, which offers safety tips on common items found in the household, the backyard, on playgrounds and at yard sales. This popular booklet is available by download (or by ordering a hard copy) on Canada.ca. You may also be interested in two other guides in this series, Is Your Child Safe? — Sleep Time and Is Your Child Safe? — Play Time (which focuses on toys).
For more information, visit Canada.ca (keywords: barbecue safety; how to report an incident involving a consumer product).
If consumers have questions about specific issues or products, they may also contact Health Canada’s consumer product safety program at 1-866-662-0666 or cpsspc@hc-sc.gc.ca.
“Enjoy barbecue season,” says Hulan. “And make safety part of your summer routine.”