As I was writing this article, news broke that Target, Wal-Mart, and other major retailers had been sent a letter from the California Attorney General notifying them children's products found to have illegally high lead levels continued to be sold in their stores and should be pulled from shelves immediately.  (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091117/ap_on_bi_ge/us_toxic_toys_3)  In light of recalls of millions of toys in 2007 and ongoing efforts to phase in retailer and manufacturer compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the following tips provide some guidance in navigating what can seem to be an endless sea of toys.
 
Tip 1: Be informed by toymakers' mistakes in the past.  We all make mistakes.  Some learn from them quickly, and some seem to never learn.  Notice who has a good performance record and who does not.
 
Tip 2: Consider price in relation to complexity.  An apparent bargain is not a bargain if cheap materials or manufacturing practices may make the product unsafe. 
 
Tip 3: Think twice before buying dollar deals.  While it is not impossible to find a safe toy for one dollar, many of the toys that have been recalled have sold for one dollar or less.
 
Tip 4: Consider quality.  Exposed screws and sharp metal edges can present potential injury hazards.  Children's chairs made of thinner plastics can break, forming jagged edges, when sat upon or pressed upon with too much force.  Be aware of similar potential dangers.
 
Tip 5: Even if a toy looks safe, it may be dangerous.  Always examine toys for defects and damage when they are removed from packaging.
 
Tip 6: Common sense counts.  If a toy looks dangerous, it may be so -- even if there is no warning label.
 
Tip 7: Consider the child.  My own four-year-old's penchant for battle means the only pretend swords allowed in our household are of the foam variety.
 
Tip 8: Pay attention to age guidelines.  Although not explained along with stated age ranges on toy packaging, there really are solid reasons behind the recommendations.
 
Tip 9: Buy from manufactures and retailers you trust.  Frequently reviewing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toy recall list at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html can help you develop a mental list of those you might like to avoid.