Trouble in Toyland: Dangerous Toys Report

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Each year, a PIRG report titled "Trouble in Toyland" names some of the most dangerous toys on the market and educates parents how to stop these injuries. Every three minutes a child goes to the emergency room for a toy-related injury.

The most toy common danger is choking, so parents need to avoid toys that have small parts that could be a hazard. A good rule of thumb is a toilet paper roll. Any toy that fits down the tube is too small for a child under three.

Rachel Weintraub of the Consumer Federation of America explained, "Really think about the specific child you're buying a gift for. If they're a younger child who puts things in their mouths be very careful about small parts as well as potential chemicals." Those chemical include lead, heavy metals, and phtalates. The report found some sheriffs' badges exceeded the allowable limit for lead. A Jake and the Neverland Pirates tambourine contained almost nine times the amount of allowable chromium. But toys containing phthalates are an even bigger problem this year: including a rubber ducky, Hello Kitty accessories, and a Dora backpack.

Also, avoid toys with magnets. Once inside the digestive tract, they can cause ulcers, bowel blockage and severe infection. For kids over the age of five, many of their injuries are caused from non-motorized scooters, primarily because the kids aren't using helmets.

Where you shop for toys makes a difference as well. Sujatha Jahagirdar, a U.S. PIRG Public Health Advocate warned, "Parents should avoid shopping at stores that have not adopted a publicly available corporate policy on toxics in their products such as Walgreens. Without such a policy, Walgreens does not play an active role in ensuring the safety of the products it sells."

And when in doubt, check before you buy: research products on saferproducts.gov to check for any recalls or safety alerts. Click here for the complete list of unsafe toys named in this year's PIRG list.