Toys...at X-Mas consumer advocates warn about unsafe products!

The signs of Christmas are all around.



Retail stores have been invitingly decorated to lure consumers in - and once that task has been accomplished - managers are relying on the joyful strains of Christmas Carols overhead to seduce the whimsical shopper into a festive holiday mood.



Now, the consumer is all primed and ready to go!



Yes - buy, buy, buy - shop 'til you drop!



But, before you plunk down the big bucks for those attractive toys for the little ones, it may be wise to pay heed to warnings from consumer advocates about the dangers that may lurk around a handful of those precious purchases.



First and foremost, it's important to be mindful of the contents of the products.



For good reason.



After all, if lead is ingested or inhaled, it can cause neurological problems and interfere with brain development.



Although lead is banned in toy paint in the U.S., the deadly product often worms its way into the marketplace by way of popular imports.



One product, Aqua Dots, was pulled from the shelves last year when it was determined that it was coated with a toxic chemical that metabolizes into gamma hydroxy butyrate - or GHB - the date-rape drug.



Scary thought!



Parents of toddlers teething should be mindful of the fact that lead is still permitted for use in plastics; so, it would be wise to spring for playthings made of wood and cotton terry cloth, instead.



Bottom line, if your child has a favorite toy they tend to chew on, check to ensure the Consumer Product Safety Commission has not recalled it at:



http://www.cpsc.gov



But, you're not off the hook with soft vinyl toys, either; they may contain phthalates which may be wise to avoid as well. Although they are banned overseas, the jury is still out on their potential dangers stateside.



Be safe, rather than sorry, and buy items with "PCV Free" marked on the label because the toys are generally constructed of safe latex or silicon products.



Some note that avoiding popular toys made in large quantities is a good idea, as well.



Experts assert that items made in large batches - such as a myriad of fast-selling toys falling under the once-popular RC2 Corp banner - often slip through inspection easier and may escape the close scrutiny of consumer watchdogs.



Although the big guys in the industry say they've stepped up their inspections to ensure toys are safe, it is suggested that parents shop with the smaller more reputable dealers who may have more stringent individual standards to effectively weed out problem toys.



Savvy shoppers may check the following websites if they are concerned about safety issues:



http://www.discoverytoys.com

http://www.oompa.com

http://www.ebeanstalk.com

http://www.playstoretoys.com

http://www.nmctoys.com



Environmental safety groups currently rank 1500 top toys at:



http://www.healthytoys.org



Cruise on by their site and give yourself some peace of mind before you start shopping for the wee tots this Christmas.



Happy Holidays!