Consumer watchdog report details biggest toy safety concerns for this holiday season

A new report out Thursday from a consumer watchdog breaks down the biggest toy safety issues parents need to be on the lookout for.

One of the biggest concerns this year is counterfeit toys being sold online that can cause serious hidden hazards for kids.

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The dangers include high levels of lead and small pieces that could cause a choking hazard.

Researchers from U.S. Pirg, a consumer watchdog group, say if you buy a toy from a traditional store, the item must have a “children’s product certificate.”

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That means the toy follows all federal safety standards for children. But when you buy online, there’s a chance you’re dealing with a middleman seller who hasn’t verified if the toy is safe or not.

Another big trend the report found is kids getting hurt while playing with toys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates nearly 200,000 kids went to the emergency room for toy related injuries last year.

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The report shows this was a slight decline compared to previous years, likely caused by increased supervision with more people staying home during the pandemic.

More than a dozen toys have been recalled by the federal government this year alone.

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