How to Avoid Unsafe Children's Toys in Stores

"There are certain types of toys that by and large haven't had problems over many years and you want to migrate toward those," and away from potentially problematic ones. These include board games, books, unpainted wood puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, building blocks like Legos and Lincoln Logs, video games and stuffed animals.

He says that toys for toddlers are the biggest concern because these products inevitably wind up in children's mouths. So parents buying for the teething set should especially look for cloth and unpainted wooden toys or hold out for reputable brands that don't use plastic or have been public about removing phthalates from their products.

There's no easy way to do this other than to carefully check labels and research brands online before heading out to the stores.

Korn also recommends that all parents sign up for email alerts about recalls, which you can do through Safe Kids or the Consumer Products Safety Commission. That way, if a toy you've bought is recalled you'll know right away.

Personally, I plan to avoid the deep-discount stores that are often listed as the source of toys on the CPSC's recall list, a move with which Korn concurs. And I'll be wary of deep discounts and sales on brightly colored and plastic toys in case they turn out to be fire sales of unsafe products.

I'll stick to books and wooden toys from companies like Haba and Melissa & Doug for my toddler. I figure it's the best way to keep her safe and both of us jolly for holidays and into the new year.

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