Grilling tip: Watch for wire brush bristles in your hot dog

With the Fourth of July come fireworks, crowds on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and our annual post about the dangers of ingesting wire bristles hot off the grill. Although we hate to cast a pall of threat over the holiday weekend, we figure its best to share information that can prevent trips to the emergency room.

The wire bristles on brushes used to clean grills can break loose, rest on the surface of the grill, cling to food as it's being cooked, and subsequently be swallowed—causing lacerations, puncture wounds, risk of infection, and excruciating pain.

It hasn't issued a report. But a few simple steps can protect your barbeque guests, your family, and yourself from harm:

-- Check the surfaces of grills for wire bristles before putting on the food.

-- Wipe the grill surface with a cloth after you brush it.

-- Purchase a new brush if yours is old and looks as if it's losing its bristles.