With so many products available for little ones, there are important factors to consider before putting the wrong toys in the hands, and possibly mouths, of children.
The 2009 Trouble In Toyland report from Public Interest Research Group is now available to help guide parents in choosing safe toys.
The organization lists choking on small parts, small balls and balloons as the number one cause of toy-related deaths and injuries.
This year, over five-million toys and other products were removed from shelves because of the potential for choking.
Most items on toy shelves were found to be safe, but some that pose choking hazards for children under the ages of three and six did not have required warning labels.
PIRG also found loud toys present problems for children.
This factor is of particular concern with nearly 15-percent of kids ages six-to-17 years old showing signs of hearing loss.
The loudness standard for most toys is set at 85 decibels.
Toys for use "close to the ear" are held to a 65 decibels rule.
PIRG determined some toys currently exceed 85 decibels at close range.
Along with loud toys, items with lead remain a big concern for health and safety officials.
During 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled over one-million toys or products for children due to lead paint standards violations.
Items with phthalates 1/8 1/8 THAL-ates 3/8 3/8 are also a possible danger to children.
Phthalates are compounds used for softening vinyl.
(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)