Virtually any survey can uncover indications of potential threats or risks, either to the respondent or others. This is particularly true of surveys on sensitive topics, such as suicidal ideation, sexual preference, or risk behaviors, on which responses to open ended comments may reveal—however unintentionally—a danger of immediate harm to the respondent. Risks can surface even on surveys that do not ask sensitive questions, however. For example, commercial organizations can find early warning signs of consumer concerns or product problems among respondents’ comments. Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) has developed a process for immediately screening all comments to identify potential threats and to alert the survey sponsors so that interventions can be made quickly, when appropriate. This presentation will focus on the process DRC uses, including technical considerations in hot comment processing for web and paper surveys, timing issues, development of key words lists, criteria for raising an alert, protection of personal identifying information and confidentiality issues.