RC2 Corp. in June withdrew about 1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys including about 90,000 in Canada for high levels of lead. (William B. Plowman/Associated Press)

Making your gift-giving list? This year, you'd be wise to check it twice. These days it's simply not enough to avoid buying toys with jagged tips, wobbly wheels or projectile parts. Over the course of 2007, hidden dangers such as lead paint and loose magnets prompted the recall of millions of toys that seemed benign. So what's a parent to do? Research before you buy and scrutinize for potential hazards. Savvy shoppers, play it safe and bear in mind the following safety considerations:

1. Beware of toxic toys, look for lead-free alternatives

Children play in the Grank walk-in kitchen, ranked as a top toy by the Toy Testing Council. Manufacturers whose products made the 2007 top toy list submitted statements saying the toys meet proper safety standards. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

Parents around the globe this year dug deep into their toy chests, gathering up millions of toys recalled by manufacturers for unsafe levels of lead. The recalls of mostly made-in-China toys issued across Canada were sweeping, ranging from dollar store knick-knacks to higher end toys like Thomas the Tank Engine trains. Manufacturers used lead as either an agent to soften plastic or to improve durability and colour in paint. Health officials warn that while lead poisoning is extremely rare, exposure to the soft metal over a period of time may cause developmental delays, anemia and brain and kidney damage.

While news of the lead levels spurred some consumers to buy lead-testing kits, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned in October the do-it-yourself products were largely unreliable, often delivering false negatives.

Instead, consumers might be better to rely on independent toy testing reports. For example, Today's Parent magazine only included toys that did not contain lead in its top toy rankings. Similarly, the Toy Testing Council, which has been assessing toys for 55 years, said manufacturers whose products made the top toy list submitted statements saying the toys meet proper safety standards.

Otherwise, parents can search out toy makers that use non-toxic materials. Shelley Goldschlager, who owns the Toy Space Inc. in Toronto, says she stocks her store with products that have been treated with non-toxic vegetable dyes and non-toxic finishes because they're environmentally friendly and safe.

"We know toys are constantly being put into children's mouths and with vegetable dyes there's nothing to worry about for parents," she said.

2. Be vigilant with magnetic toys

Magnets have become a mainstay in construction sets, toy trains, craft kits and dolls, allowing children to stack and clip toys together. But, when magnets shake free of their settings, they pose a serious health hazard to young children. Magnets when swallowed can twist, perforate or block the intestine.

In 2007, toys including Polly Pocket dolls, Barbie accessories, Batman action figures, and Magnetix construction sets were all pulled from store shelves after it was discovered the magnet pieces could be pulled off the toys and ingested.

Health Canada says no children in Canada have died from magnet inhalation or ingestion though the federal agency urges caregivers to be vigilant. Parents should follow age recommendations listed for toys, keeping products containing small parts and magnets out of the reach of toddlers, Health Canada says.

As a guideline, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says children under the age of six should not be given construction sets containing magnets.

3. Stay on top of toy recalls

Consumers who find it tough to stay on top of the ever-growing list of product recalls should be sure to register their products when possible so that they are alerted when recalls are issued.

But for smaller products for which no registry exists, consumers can sign up for e-mail product safety alerts from Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CBCNews.ca also maintains a recalls and advisories blog that is updated daily. These sites can also be a good research resource for parents seeking more information on faulty product lines and common recall problems.

4. Look at the labels

Leigh Poirier, the executive director of the Canadian Toy Testing Council, says many parents aren't doing intensive research, failing at even the most basic level of reading labels.

"A lot of parents are not aware that the majority of toys were manufactured in China, not that this is necessarily a China situation," Poirier said. "Parents should be more aware when they're purchasing toys to check them out more, read the packaging."

Caregivers should also check the packaging for age recommendations, giving only toys with small parts to children as advised by the manufacturer.

5. Bypass counterfeit toys

In August, Mattel issued a massive recall of toys containing magnets including this Barbie and Tanner play set. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/Associated Press)

Parents should also check labels for signs that the toy they're purchasing might be counterfeit. Counterfeit goods may be made of substandard materials and are not subject to routine safety checks.

Consumers should be wary of prices that seem too good to be true and should check packaging and labels for misspelled words, blurry printing, and missing trademarks.

6. Conduct battery safety checks

When examining battery-operated toys, parents should do a thorough inspection and keep an eye out for a few important safety features, says Poirier.

"If it is a battery-operated toy, [adults] should make sure the battery compartment is well secured and sealed and has recessed screws," Poirier said.

Health Canada also says adults should be sure to install batteries for children and ensure that children do not take battery-operated toys to bed as a safety precaution.

Toddlers and little ones also have sensitive hearing and parents should accordingly check for volume controls and automatic shut-off functions. Audiologists also recommend that parents should limit playtime with noisy toys and encourage children to keep the toys at arm's length.

7. The plastic debate

While the federal government is not due to release its findings on bisphenol-A, some consumers are choosing to limit their children's exposure to the chemical found in some hard plastics. For example, a play centre at Toronto's George Brown College recently announced it would be tossing all plastic products because of safety concerns.

Recent studies have suggested BPA may be linked to fertility problems. In January 2007, Yale researchers found that when BPA was administered to pregnant mice, it altered a gene responsible for normal uterine development. The study, published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, theorized that exposure to the chemical could lead to infertility in people.

But the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group — which includes the American Chemistry Council, Plastics Europe and the Japan Chemical Industry Association — says BPA has been used safely for over 40 years and poses no threat to human health.

In 2005, the European Union banned the use of phthalates — chemicals used to soften plastics — in children's toys over health concerns.

Health Canada says that content of less than 0.1 per cent by weight of the phthalates diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is tolerable.

8. Rubber ducky, you're the one?

Like the song says, rubber duckies do make bathtime lots of fun for little ones. But, the Canadian Toy Testing Council warns that lately they've observed more instances of mould growing in bath toys.

"Parents purchasing bath toys for their children should make sure that the components are well sealed," Poirier said.

Mould produces allergens that may trigger reactions, including rashes, asthma attacks, and irritation of the throat and lungs.

Poirier also notes that caregivers should be sure to air dry bath toys properly, squeezing out excess water after baths.

9. Supervise your young Einstein

The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions parents against giving chemistry kits to young kids, citing safety concerns including the potential for fires, poisoning and explosions.

The AAP warns that some children, if unsupervised, may also suffer serious burns and eye injuries. The group says hobby and chemistry kits should not be given to children under the age of 12.

10. Save your bills, store the boxes

Finally, the Toy Testing Council is also recommending parents keep their receipts and packaging for three months as an added precaution.

"If there's a safety concern or a durability problem with the toy after Christmas and the holidays, they know exactly where it was purchased and they have the manufacturer or distributor's information," Poirier said.

Packaging will also have model numbers and manufacturing dates should a recall be ordered as well as toll-free telephone numbers for the manufacturer.