U.S. Public Interest Research Group Releases 2013 Naughty List For Toys

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – As the holiday season rapidly approaches, parents may want to check their child's wish list twice.

As CBS 2's Kristine Johnson reported Tuesday, the Public Interest Research Group has released its annual list of dangerous toys for parents to keep an eye out for.

"We need to protect our littlest consumers from unsafe toys," Jenny Levin, of U.S. PIRG, told Johnson.

The 2013 Trouble in Toyland report collected 50 toys from store shelves to test them for potential hazards.

So which toys made the naughty list? According to the report, the Leap Frog Chat and Count Smartphone is too loud for tiny ears, clocking in at 85 decibels, or the equivalent of a garbage disposal.

Check out the full 2013 Trouble in Toyland report here.

The watchdog group also listed the Captain America Soft Shield as having 29 times the accepted level of lead.

As Johnson reported, there is a simple rule parents can use to identify toys that may be a choking hazard. If the toy fits inside a wrapping or toilet paper roll, it is too small for children under 3 years old.

Toy recalls have declined over the last five years because of tougher product standards, Johnson reported. Consumer advocates say the goal is to get the most toxic toys off store shelves.

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