WASHINGTON (AP) — Toy recalls for excessive lead and other hazards are down this year, but consumer advocates warn that potential dangers to children remain on store shelves.


Several toys with high lead levels or toys that could cause young children to choke were found at major retailers and discount stores in the last few months, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group said Tuesday. The consumer safety group analyzed 50 toys for its annual report. Violations were found in fewer than a dozen, including a Captain America toy shield and play jewelry.


PIRG said the Captain America Soft Shield purchased at Toys R Us had 29 times the legal limit of lead. A package of toy jewelry rings from Dollar General tested positive for lead twice the legal limit, said the report.


Small parts that could pose a choking risk were found in six toys that the group said did not carry the necessary warning labels for children. PIRG said three toys were too loud and exceeded federal limits on decibels: two Leap Frog phones for toddlers — the Chat & Count phone and the Lil' Phone Pal — and the Fisher Price Laugh & Learn remote.


The toy industry disagreed with the report's findings, saying that toys are actually safer than ever before and questioning the testing methods used by PIRG.


"We know that toys are safe," said Joan Lawrence, vice president of standards and regulatory affairs at the Toy Industry Association. "In this country, by law, toys are required to have been tested and certified before they are put on store shelves."


Lawrence said PIRG did not use a testing laboratory accredited by the federal agency that oversees toy safety — the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which approves labs for manufacturers to use for required testing on their products. PIRG acknowledged that the testing lab it used was not CPSC approved, but said it is the same lab it has been using for years.


CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis said commission staff across the country began picking up samples of the toys highlighted by PIRG over the weekend and will test them to see if further action is needed.


Overall toy safety, Davis said, has improved in recent years. Government figures show 31 toy recalls in fiscal year 2013, which ended Sept. 30 — none involving lead. That's down from 38 recalls in 2012; 50 in 2009 and 172 in 2008.


A 2008 law that set stronger standards for children's products, including strict limits on lead, has helped make many products safer for youngsters. The law was passed after a wave of recalls of lead-tainted toys.


The "Trouble in Toyland" report can be found at http://www.uspirgedfund.org/reports/usf/trouble-toyland-2013.





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  • Step2 Ride-On Wagon Toys


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Step2-Recalls-Ride-On-Wagon-Toys/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Step2 recalled the Ride-On Wagon Toys due to a fall hazard. The back seats of the wagon can detach, causing the child to fall.




  • L.L. Bean Girl’s Pajamas


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/LL-Bean-Girls-Pajamas-Recalled/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: L.L. Bean recalled their Girl’s Pajamas due to a flammability standard violation.




  • Wood Castle Furniture Bunk Beds


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Wood-Castle-Furniture-Recalls-Bunk-Beds/" target="_blank">Items Recalled:</a> Wood Castle Furniture recalled their Riley Duo bunk beds because the guard rails are wider than the approved 3 and a half inches. This could cause entrapment or suffocation of a child.




  • Target Children’s Sitting Stools


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Target-Recalls-Childrens-Sitting-Stools/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Target recalled Children’s Sitting Stools due to a falling hazard. The stabilizing bar can crack and cause the child sitting to fall.




  • Children’s Pajamas


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Childrens-Pajamas-Recalled-by-Babycottons/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Babycottons recently recalled their children's pajamas because they did not meet federal flammability standards.




  • Dream On Me Cradle Gliders


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Dream-On-Me-Recalls-Cradle-Gliders/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Dream On Me has recalled their Lullaby Cradle Gliders due to a fall hazard. The mattress board can fall or slide out of the bottom posing a fall risk for babies.




  • Vans Boy’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Vans-Recalls-Boys-Hooded-Jackets-with-Drawstrings/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Vans recalled their boy's hooded jackets with drawstrings. The drawstrings do not meet the kid's outerwear standards and pose a strangulation hazard.




  • BreathableBaby Wearable Blanket


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/BreathableBaby-Recalls-Wearable-Blanket/" target="_blank"><strong>Items Recalled</strong>:</a> BreathableBaby recalled their Wearable Blanket. The zipper pull tags can detach, posing a choking hazard.




  • Target Children’s Sitting Stools


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Target-Recalls-Childrens-Sitting-Stools/" target="_blank"><strong>Items Recalled</strong>:</a> Target recently recalled their sitting stools for children due to a falling hazard. The stabilizing bar can crack and cause the child to fall from the chair.




  • Infinitoy Softimals Toy Sets


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Infinitoy-Recalls-Softimals-Toy-Sets/" target="_blank">Items Recalled:</a>Infinitoy has recalled their softimals play sets. The figures could be swallowed by children and pose a choking or aspiration hazard.




  • Trail Crest Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Trail-Crest-Recalls-Childrens-Hooded-Sweatshirts/" target="_blank">Items Recalled: </a> Trail Crest has recalled their hooded sweatshirts for children due to a strangulation hazard. The drawstrings around the neck could harm young children.




  • Toys R Us Journey Girl Travel Trunks


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Toys-R-Us-Recalls-Journey-Girl-Travel-Trunks/" target="_blank">Items Recalled:</a> Toys R Us recalled their Journey Girl Travel Trunks due to a laceration hazard. The metal on the handle of the truck can be sharp. Travel trunks included in the recall have UPC # 48970277965070 and model number 5F5F79E.




  • The Children’s Place Footed Pajamas


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/The-Childrens-Place-Recalls-Footed-Pajamas/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: The Children's Place has recalled their bunny-themed one-piece cotton footed pajamas. The pajamas do not meet the flammability standard posing a burn hazard to children. They also do not meet the tight fighting sizing requirement.




  • Build-A-Bear Stuffed Animal Toy


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Build-A-Bear-Recalls-Stuffed-Animal-Toy/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Build-A-Bear has recalled their stuffed animal "Sulley" toy for the eyes posing a choking hazard. Purchasers can return to the store with the toy and receive a capon to make another stuffed animal.




  • Baby Jogger Car Seat Adaptors


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Baby-Jogger-Recalls-Car-Seat-Adaptors-for-Strollers/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Baby Jogger has recalled their stroller's car seat adaptors sold between April 1, 2012 and September 20, 2012. The support bars can fail and cause a falling hazard.




  • Apple Park Children’s Loungewear


    Apple Park has recalled it's children's loungewear. The pajamas did not meet the federal flammability standard and pose a burn risk to children.




  • Klever Kids Children's Pajamas


    Klever Kids recalled it's children's pajamas including the short-sleeved Allover Shark Pajama set, the longed-sleeved striped monster pajama set, the short-sleeved nightgown, and the long-sleeved Allover Ballerina Nightgown. The pajamas violated the federal flammability standard.




  • Toysmith Toy Light-Up Frogs and Ducks


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Toysmith-Recalls-Toy-Light-Up-Frogs-and-Ducks/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Toysmith's light-up frogs and ducks have been recalled from Cost Plus World Market. The pin on the bottom of the toy is a choking hazard.




  • Sleepharmony Pink Youth Beds


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Sleepharmony-Pink-Youth-Beds-Recalled-by-Glideaway/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: Glideaway has recalled their Sleepharmony Pink Youth Beds due to a lead paint violation. The amount of lead in the paint exceeds the legal limit.




  • Be Amazing! Toys Monster Science and Super Star Science Colossal Water Balls


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Be-Amazing-Toys-Recalls-Monster-Science-and-Super-Star-Science-Colossal-Water-Balls/" target="_blank">Items Recalled</a>: The water-absorbing polymer balls that grow to 400 times their original size are being recalled due to an ingestion hazard.




  • Far East Brokers Ladybug-Themed Kids' Outdoor Furniture


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Far-East-Brokers-Recalls-Ladybug-themed-Kids-Outdoor-Furniture/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: The Lesiure Ways brand has recalled their ladybug-themed kids' outdoor furniture including the camp chair, folding chair, moon chair, swing chair and patio set. The levels of lead in the red surface paint violate the federal lead paint standard.




  • Infants’ First Impressions Varsity Jacket


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Macys-Recalls-Infants-First-Impressions-Varsity-Jackets/" target="_blank">Items Recalled:</a> Macy's has voluntarily recalled the varsity jacket due to the snaps posing a choking hazard.




  • Baby Einstein Activity Jumpers


    Kids II recalled more than 400,000 units due to impact hazard. <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Kids-II-Recalls-Baby-Einstein-Activity-Jumpers/#Remedy" target="_blank">For more information, visit CPSC.</a>




  • Toys R Us Remote-Controlled 3 Channel Helicopters


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Toys-R-Us-Recalls-Remote-Controlled-Helicopters/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled: </strong></a> Toys R Us has recalled their Remote-Controlled 3 Channel Helicopter due to a potential burn hazard, cause by the battery overheating.




  • Fred & Friends “Buff Baby” Baby Rattles


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Fred-Friends-Recalls-Baby-Rattles/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled</strong></a>: Fred & Friends recalled their "Buff Baby" baby rattles due to a potential choking hazard. The rattle's end cap can come off allowing smaller parts to escape.




  • Chelsea & Scott Idea Baby Bath Seats


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/BeBeLove-Recalls-Baby-Bath-Seats/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled</strong></a>: Chelsea & Scott recalled their Idea Baby Bath seats due to a potential drowning hazard caused by the bath seat tipping over.




  • Buy Buy Baby Idea Baby Bath Seat


    <strong><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Buy-Buy-Baby-Recalls-Idea-Baby-Bath-Seats/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a></strong>: Buy Buy Baby has recalled their Idea Baby Bath Seat due to a potential drowning hazard caused by the bath seat tipping over.




  • BeBeLove Baby Bath Seats


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/BeBeLove-Recalls-Baby-Bath-Seats/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled:</strong></a> BeBeLove recalled their baby bath seats due to a potential drowning hazard caused by the bath seat tipping over.




  • Kolcraft Jeep Liberty Strollers


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Strollers-Recalled-by-Kolcraft/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled</strong></a>: Kolcraft has recalled their Jeep Liberty Strollers due to a potential projectile hazard. The inner part of the tire can rupture which causes the wheel's rim to break, and then cause injury to the child when it flys off of the stroller.




  • Stride Rite "Joanna" Girls Sandal


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Stride-Rite-Recalls-Girls-Sandals/" target="_blank"><strong>Item recalled: </strong></a> Stride Rite has recalled their "Joanna" girls sandal. The metal flower on the sandal can detach, creating a potential choking hazard.




  • Country Life Target-Mins Iron Supplement Bottles


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Country-Life-Recalls-Target-Mins-Iron-Supplement-Bottles/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: Country Life recalled their Target-Mins iron supplement bottles because the packaging is not properly child-proofed. If children ingest multiple tablets they are at risk for injury and death.




  • Fred Meyer Dan-Dee “Chicken Dance” Tap Dance Easter Chicks


    <blockquote><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Fred-Meyer-Recalls-Chicken-Dance-Easter-Chicks/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a></blockquote>: Fred Meyer has recalled their Dan-Dee “Chicken Dance” Tap Dance Easter Chicks due to a potential hazard for hearing damage. The toy's music can reach decibel levels that exceed the ASTM F963 standard for safety.




  • Vive La Fete Children’s Two-Piece Pajama Sets


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Vive-La-Fete-Recalls-Childrens-Pajamas/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: Vive La Fete has recalled their children's two piece pajama sets due to a potential risk of burn injuries. The pajamas do not meet the federal flammability standards for children's clothing.




  • H&M Children's Water Bottles


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/HM-Reannounces-Recall-of-Childrens-Water-Bottles/" target="_blank">Item recalled: </a> H&M is recalling their Children's Water Bottles due to a potential choking hazard cause by the water bottle's spout can breaking off.




  • Pottery Barn Kids Sweet Lambie Crib Bumper


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Pottery-Barn-Kids-Recalls-Sweet-Lambie-Crib-Bumpers/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: Pottery Barn Kids has recalled their Sweet Lambie Crib Bumper due to a potential entanglement hazard to babies, caused by the unraveling of the thread in the decorative stitching.




  • Zulily Deezo Boys And Girls Zip-up Hoodie


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Deezo-Childrens-Hooded-Sweatshirts-with-Drawstrings-Recalled-by-Zulily/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: Zulily has recalled their Deezo boys and girls zip-up hoodies due to a potential strangulation hazard caused by the draw-strings at the neck of the garment.




  • Powell Anywhere Lounger Bean Bag Chairs


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Powell-Company-Recalls-Anywhere-Lounger-Bean-Bag-Chairs/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: The Powell company has recalled their Anywhere Lounger Bean Bag chairs due to a potential suffocation and strangulation hazard. If the bag does not have a permanent zipper closure, young children could unzip, ingest or inhale the beads inside of the bean bag chair.




  • J.P. Boden Infant And Children Dungarees


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Infant-and-Childrens-Dungarees-Recalled-by-JP-Boden/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: J.P. Boden is recalling their Mini Borden Chunky Cord Dungarees. The clasps and studs on the the pants of the overalls can come off, creating a potential choking hazard.




  • Classic Characters Infant Socks


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Classic-Characters-Recalls-Infant-Socks/" target="_blank">Item recalled</a>: Classic Characters has recalled Infant Froggy Socks. The frog face and feet stitched on the socks can detach creating a potential choking hazard for infants and small children.




  • “Aubree’s” and “Hearts” Trumpette baby socks


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Baby-Socks-Recalled-by-Trumpette/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: Aubree's and Hearts baby socks recalled by Trumpette, due to a choking hazard caused by the flowers and bows becoming detached.




  • Small World Toys Spin-A-Mals Farm and Safari Puzzles


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Small-World-Toys-Recalls-Spin-A-Mals-Farm-and-Safari-Puzzles/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: Small World Toys is recalling Spin-A-Mals Farm and Safari wooden puzzles. Pegs on the puzzle boards loosen and detach, creating a potential choking hazard.




  • Carter's one-piece footed infant clothing with a zipper


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Carters-Recalls-Infant-Clothing-with-Zippers/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: a one-pieced footed infant outfit is being recalled by Carter's due to a potential choking hazard caused by the zipper becoming detached.




  • iCandy Cherry Strollers


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Icandy-World-Recalls-Cherry-Strollers/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: iCandy has issued a safety recall of about 830 Cherry strollers. The opening of the bumper bar and seat of the stroller can allow an child's body to pass through and become trapped at the neck, creating a strangulation hazard.




  • BabyHome USA Eat High Chairs


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/BabyHome-USA-Recalls-High-Chairs/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: BabyHome USA has issued at safety recall of about 1,100 Eat model high chairs due to strangulation hazard. The opening between the tray and seat bottom of the chair can allow a child’s body to pass through and become trapped at the neck.




  • Bugaboo Cameleon3 Stroller


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Bugaboo-Recalls-Cameleon3-Strollers/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: Bugaboo issued a recall of about 9,200 Bugaboo Cameleon3 Strollers in the United States and 960 in Canada. The carrying handle can break and come apart, creating a potential fall hazard.




  • West Music Basic Beat Egg Shaker


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/West-Music-Recalls-Egg-Shaker-Toy-Instruments/" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: West Music issued a recall of about 6,500 Basic Beat Egg Shaker toy instruments. The end cap at the top of the egg can come off, creating potential choking and aspiration hazards.




  • Toys"R"Us Imaginarium Activity Walker


    <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Toys-R-Us-Recalls-Imaginarium-Activity-Walker/" target="_hplin" target="_blank">Item Recalled</a>: Toys"R"Us is recalling about 9,000 Imaginarium Activity Walkers. A small bolt and spacer that attaches the two front wheels to the walker can detach and create a potential choking hazard.




  • Target Two-Piece Pajamas


    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Target Corp. have <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml13/13093.html?tab=recalls" target="_hplink">issued a voluntary recall</a> of 560,000 Target Circo and Xhilaration children's cotton or cotton/fleece two-piece pajama sets. The sets fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear which poses a burn hazard to children.




  • Bugaboo Strollers


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/15/bugaboo-recall_n_2480994.html?1358278965">Recalled (From The AP):</a> Bugaboo International is recalling more than 50,000 of its Cameleon and Donkey strollers in the United States and Canada because its handle can detach and cause an injury to a child.




  • Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/fisher-price-newborn-rockn-play-sleeper-recall_n_2433256.html">Item Recalled:</a> 800,000 Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper™ units have been recalled because of mold. Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.




  • Dunecraft Water Balz, Skulls, Orbs and Flower Toys


    <strong><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml13/13071.html?tab=recalls" target="_hplink">Items Recalled:</a></strong> This recall involves marble-sized toys that absorb water and grow up to 400 times their original size. They were sold as Water Balz (round-shape), Growing Skulls (skull-shape), H2O Orbs "Despicable Me" (round-shape) and Fabulous Flowers (flower-shape). They were sold in packages of six in green, yellow, red, blue and black colors. "Dunecraft," the name of the toy and the model number are printed on the toy's packaging.

    Name | Model Number | Amount Recalled
    Water Balz | BC-0338 | 81000
    Growing Skulls | BC-0320 | 11850
    H2O Orbs "Despicable Me" | DM-0447 | 1800
    Fabulous Flowers | BC-0440 | 36

    <strong>Reason:</strong> Serious ingestion hazard