What Toys Are Safe Following Numerous Recalls

The holiday shopping season officially kicks off at the end of the week. But figuring out what to get for your kids may be more difficult this year. Because of all the recalls, many parents are confused about which toys are safe. According to the U.S. Public Interest Group (U.S. PIRG), parents have reason to be worried. The consumer group recently went shopping and found there was "trouble in toyland." Here are 4 rules to keep in mind so that you have peace of mind when you go toy shopping:

1. Choking hazards: if you have young children, be on guard for toys with small parts. If a toy can fall through a toilet paper roll, it should not be in the hands of anyone under 3.

2. Lead: U.S. PIRG says it's fighting to have lead banned from all toys because it can cause developmental problems in children. Among the toys the group found containing lead are some "Bob the Builder" and "Curious George" dolls.

3. Loud toys: those ear-screeching guns are not only annoying, they can also damage a child's hearing.

4. Magnets: if a child swallows some of these, it can tear his or her intestine. U.S. PIRG says one 22-month old recently died from swallowing magnets and others had to have emergency surgery.

Experts say not all toys made in China are unsafe. Just do your research. For the latest toy recall information, you could check out the following websites: Consumer Product Safety Commission: Consumer Product Safety Commission U.S. Public Interest Group: U.S. Public Interest Group

If you're looking for toys made in the USA, there are websites that can help you narrow down your search: toysmadeinamerica.com ftabraintoys.com