Whether it's due to the demands of kids or the good intentions of gift-givers, the concept of toy safety is often lost over the holidays.

But experts say safety considerations should be at the top of any wish list.

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Case in point: Last year, the hot gift of the season - scooters - arrived under many a Christmas tree without any accompanying safety accessories. Consequently, more than 42 000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for scooter-related injuries in the US.

The chances of your kids receiving age-inappropriate gifts or gifts that don't include proper safety equipment increase over the holidays when many gift givers are relatives or friends not used to buying for children.

That's why it's important that you advise those friends to simply squint and read the labels on toys.

The labels are often ignored, but they're there for a reason and usually can be an excellent guide if you're buying for children who aren't your own or [you] haven't been in a toy store for a long time.

If some unusual, second-hand toy happens to catch a shopper's eye, even more caution is needed. It's not uncommon for toys that have been recalled or are no longer considered safe to wind up on consignment-shop shelves.

Once the toys are in the house, a common mistake many parents make is having one toy box for toys belonging to all siblings, regardless of age. The toys for the older kids won't be stored separately from those for the younger children, so you might have a toddler in the house who's picking up small toy parts, and that's potentially injurious to them.

Here are some other types of toys that should be avoided:

• Toys with small, removable parts. The parts can pose a choking hazard to children under age three. Use a small parts tester - it can be purchased at a toy or baby specialty store - to measure the size of the toy or part. If the piece fits inside the tube, then it is considered a choking hazard.
• Toys with sharp points or edges. Children may unintentionally cut themselves or another person.
• Toys that produce loud noises. Toy guns and high-volume portable cassette recorders can permanently impair a child's hearing.
• Propelled toy darts and other projectiles. They can cause cuts or serious eye injuries.
• Toys with strings, straps or cords longer than seven inches. Long strings and cords can become wrapped around a child's neck and strangle him or her.
• Electric toys. These are a potential burn hazard. Avoid toys with a heating element battery or electrical plugs if your children are under the age of eight.
• Toy cap guns. Paper roll, strip or ring caps can be ignited by the slightest friction and cause burns.

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