MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The first thing that comes to mind when taking grill safety into consideration, may not be grill cleaning tools. But surprisingly enough, when not inspected properly, these cleaning tools could be life-threatening.

Lately, grill users have found themselves in the emergency room. This is because of a small piece of metal being consumed within their grilled foods. This small piece of metal is from a grill brush bristle used to clean off the grill and should be taken into serious consideration.

A Connecticut woman, Cheryl Harrison, was rushed to the hospital with intense stomach pain after she accidentally swallowed one of these small bristles in her hamburger. A CAT scan revealed the small metal object stuck in her intestine, which can be very dangerous.

Midstate Medical Surgeon, Aziz Benbrahim, has dealt with multiple brush bristle incidents, including Cheryl Harrison. Benbrahim urges residents that "it is more common than we know." He suggests to "make sure nothing is sticking to their burger, and if they have pain in their belly don't just think indigestion, if it stays for a few hours or so they need to go to the emergency room."

When asked about grill safety tips, Meridian Township Fire Inspector Tavis Millerov, had tons to say to make sure residents are grilling in the safest way possible.

"Grills need to be 10 feet away from combustible material, always check for gas leaks, grills should never be used in a garage, and make sure your grill doesn't have grease built up in the bottom." But to avoid that piece of metal sending you into the emergency room, Tavis suggests that residents, "use common sense and inspect your grill."