You regular BBQ'ers, be careful with the utensils you use to clean your grill. I've been seeing reports online and even on my local news about bristles separating from brushes and lodging into food. People have gotten bits of of steel or brass pierced into their gums, etc. Always inspect your grilling grates prior to cooking to ensure they are free from any debris.
Brass-bristled brushes are supposed to be better quality, and less susceptible to "shedding." But, even then, it doesn't hurt to take precautions.
I like to clean my grates with the brush immediately after cooking my food while the grates are nice and hot. Then, before pre-heating he grill the next time, I take a washcloth soaked just with water and wipe down the grates. Finally, I blast them with PAM grill spray.