(November 12, 2008)—The Consumer Product Safety Commission Wednesday released its list of the top five toy hazards as it tries to head off holiday season accidents.

The CPSC Wednesday said it has reports of 18 toy-related deaths in 2007 and staff members estimate that toy-related injuries to children less than 15 were responsible for more than 170,000 emergency room visits last year.

Most of the deaths involved of airway obstruction caused by small toys, drowning or motor-vehicle accidents during play, the CPSC said.

Most of the injuries were lacerations, contusions or abrasions, most often to the head and face, the CPSC said.

On this year’s list of the top five top hazards are scooters and other riding toy; small balls and toys with small parts; balloons, which can cause children less than 8 to choke; magnets, which can cause serious injuries or death if swallowed, and chargers and adapters, which can cause burns.

“Vigorous inspection of toys, testing and law enforcement have made toys the safest this season,” said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

Also on the plus side, toy recalls because of lead paint or lead content are down sharply this year.

Last year, 112 products—a record number--were recalled compared to 64 so far this year.

In 2006, there were only 20 lead recalls and just 13 in 2005.

Last year's record recalls spurred Congress, for the first time, to pass new rules limiting lead content in toys and children's products, but those rules don't start getting phased in until February, which is too late to have an impact this holiday season.

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