CHICAGO, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Illinois Public Interest Research Group is warning holiday shoppers to avoid 52 toys still on store shelves that have small parts or chemicals that could harm young children.
A report estimates 191,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms last year for toy-related injuries -- nearly eight of 10 were under 15 years old.
"Children needlessly choke to death on toys, and toys that pose hazardous to children can still be found on store shelves," said Diane Brown, executive director for the Illinois PIRG Education Fund.
The 16th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report was released Tuesday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group in Washington, toysafety.net, and is one of several lists of dangerous toys released each year by the government and consumer groups during the Christmas buying season.
Choking on small parts, balls and balloons was blamed for nearly 60 percent of the 207 toy-related deaths reported between 1990 and 2000.
Six of 17 toy-related deaths last year were linked to choking and 57 children choked on parts of latex balloons in the 10-year period, the report said.
Consumers can use the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper to check if a toy poses a choking danger. It the item fits inside the tube it is a hazard.
"Choking deaths are preventable with no play value change for the child," said Brown, who said that not one of 44 Web sites selling toys online had posted a warning of choking hazards.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, cpsu.gov, bans any toy that poses a risk of a choking hazard because of small parts that a child could put in the mouth and block the airway.
"Consumers should remember that just because a toy is in the store, or does not appear in the Illinois PIRG Education Fund's report, that does not mean it is safe," said Brown.
Some of the 52 potentially hazardous toys include:
"Cupcakes 'N Cookie Silver Tea Set," Moose Mountain Manufacturing. Toy has small parts that a child could place in mouth posing a choking hazard.
"Push 'n Pop Toy," recalled because parts can detach and pose a choking hazard.
"Baby's 'N Things Floating Duck." Contains phthalates, a possible human carcinogen.
"Cool Teether," Regent Baby Products, contains phthalates.
"Turbo Blaster," SRM Entertainment. Noise level of 85+ decibels posing hearing loss danger.
"Barney -- Song Magic Keyboard," Playskool. High noise level poses hearing loss danger.
