CLEVELAND -- It's now the season to start searching for the perfect toy for your children – but how do you know if that toy is safe?
NewsChannel5's Alicia Scicolone reported that a local trauma expert teamed up with the Ohio Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) to get the word out about dangerous toys.
Dr. Walter Chwals, of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, says he sees toy tragedy too often.
And PIRG's Megan Foster says there are four main hazards parents need to look for.
The first is choking. PIRG says some toys have a warning about a choking hazard, but others only show an age limit.
The next hazard is strangulation. Foster says the Water Yo-Yo is a popular toy, but this year alone, more than 400 kids were hurt by the yo-yos.
"Parents have reported using knives, scissors, and in one case, even their teeth to actually cut the cord and save their kids from imminent strangulation," said Foster.
All kids love toys that make loud noises, but experts say that prolonged exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher can result in hearing damage.
For example, some toy guitars can go as high as 111 decibels.
The most serious toy hazard is toxic toys. The chemical dibutyl phathales is commonly found in play cosmetic kits, especially nail polish.
But phalates has been implicated in birth defects, reproductive problems, nerve system damage and other negative health effects.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year more than 200,000 kids were rushed to the hospital because of toy-related injuries, and 11 children died.
PIRG's reports have lead to more than 120 consumer product recalls. But its researchers have also found that in spite of their warnings, some toys are still on store shelves.
For a list of potentially hazardous toys, go to PIRG's Web site.
