NJPIRG Offers Toy Safety Tips For Garden State Parents [AUDIO]

If you're the parent of a young child and are heading out to start your holiday shopping, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to toy safety.

Product safety reforms in 2008 have improved the marketplace, but there are still toys on store shelves that pose safety hazards.

That's according to the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group's 26th Annual Trouble in Toyland report.

"If a toy part can fit into a toilet paper roll, it is too small for a child under 3 years old," said Gideon Weissman, NJPIRG Program Associate. "There are also toys that contain lead and noise hazards."

"There are certain materials used to soften plastic that can be potential hazards," said Weissman. "When it comes to noise, we use digital sound level meters to measure for loudness, but just keep in mind, if a toy is designed to be used right next to a young child's ear, it won't be as safe on a small child's ears as one that is not."

"We found our toys in everyday national retailers from Target to Wal-Mart to dollar stores," said Weissman. "So, it doesn't matter where you're shopping, you just have to be careful with your purchases if you have small children."

If you want to check for the safety of a particular toy, you can access it right from your computer or smart phone. Go to the website www.saferproduct.gov or toysafety.mobi.