Have you inspected your barbecue brush lately?

With the warmer weather upon us, many Canadians are getting out their grills.

“It’s a good time to remind people of barbecue safety, especially around using wire cleaning brushes,” says

Tracey Kennedy, Product Safety Officer at Health Canada. “Over time they can lose their bristles, and if swallowed, can cause serious health problems.”

Kennedy says that there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks.

BBQ 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.

Kennedy 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

Kennedy. “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for usage and cleaning, and if you think there is a problem, consider having your barbecue serviced by a professional.”

For more information, Kennedy suggests that you check out Health Canada’s Consumer Product Update: Have you inspected your metal bristle barbecue brush lately?, located on the Recalls and Safety Alerts website, where you may check regularly for recalled products or to report any consumer product-related health or safety concerns.

If consumers have questions about specific issues or products, they may also contact Health Canada’s Consumer

Product Safety program at 1-866-6620666 or hc.cps-spc.sc@canada.ca.

“Enjoy barbecue season,” says Kennedy. “And make safety part of your summer routine.”