As the summer grilling season comes to an end, there are renewed safety warnings over wires coming loose from metal grill brushes.

The wire bristles are very sharp and can cause serious problems if swallowed. If a bristle is accidentally ingested, it can cut the throat or esophagus and can cause further complications if it travels down the digestive tract.

Bristles can come loose from brushes over time if they’re used frequently, and if you keep your brush hanging off your barbecue outdoors, it can wear down even faster since it’s exposed to the elements.

There are several things you can do to make sure your grill brush is in good condition:

- Inspect your brush each time you use it

- Look for loose bristles

- Throw away brushes that are worn out

- Check your grill for any bristles that are stuck to it

After scrubbing using the brush, it can also be a good idea to wipe your grill with a soft cloth or paper towel to get rid of any loose bristles on the grill.

Barbecue company Weber also suggests taking a pair of pliers and tugging on a bristle about as hard as you would pull on a blade of grass. If the bristle comes out, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace your brush. And if you’d prefer to ditch the brush altogether, you can use stainless steel pads to clean your grill instead.