24th annual Trouble in Toyland report

*To be released on Nov. 24, 2009*

Toys should bring kids joy, but sometimes they bring injury, serious harm, and in some cases, death. This holiday season, as we have for the past 23 years, U.S. PIRG is working to reduce the number of injuries and tragedies caused by dangerous toys.

Next Tuesday, November 24th, when we release our 24th annual Trouble in Toyland survey, we'll also release a new interactive smart phone website to help you avoid common hazards and report potential dangers you find on toy store shelves, right from your mobile phone.

The website, designed for web-enabled mobile phones as well as home computers, will provide tips on three categories of toy hazards: toys that may pose choking hazards, toys that are excessively loud, and toys that contain the toxic chemicals lead and phthalates.

"Now parents can shop safely and avoid purchasing potentially dangerous toys for their kids, said Elizabeth Hitchcock, U.S. PIRG's Public Health Advocate.

"And with our new, interactive tool, parents and other consumers can report toys they think are hazardous so we can investigate them and report them to the federal government," she added.

Check back here on Nov. 24 for the link to the new interactive site, and for a copy of the report.

Sign up for our Toy Safety Alerts!  Click here.

(Consumers should also report dangerous products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. See below.)