Toy safety advocates are watching out for your kids this holiday season as they release the annual 'Trouble in Toyland' report.
For nearly three decades, the U.S. PIRG Education Fund has looked at toys and how safe they are for children.
This year, the group found choking hazards and toxic levels of lead and other dangerous chemicals in 24 potentially hazardous toys.
>>Read the complete "Trouble in Toyland" report
What's on the list this year?
Five toys, including a badge playset and a rubber duck show a toxic hazard. The majority of the toys, 16, were choking hazards like a small rubber bouncy ball.
>>Foot-powered scooters could be most dangerous toys
So what can gift givers do? U.S. Pirg suggests you look closely at toys before you buy and report unsafe toys, or toy-related injuries, to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
You can also take steps to make sure the toys that are already in your home are safe for kids to play with. If there are small batteries that are not fully inaccessible by kids, remove them. If toys are too loud, either remove the batteries or tape over the speakers. Finally, put small parts or toys that break into small parts, out of the reach of children. Check that toys made for older children are not within reach of smaller children who may still put items in their mouth.
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