Our greatest national resource is our children. The best toys prod young imaginations and minds to grow and learn. Childrens' minds must be stimulated and nurtured; not poisoned. Providers of babies and kids gifts must share this belief. Their products must be safe and dependable. Their toys must be entertaining and educational. They must safely hold your childs interest while preparing them for the future.

Unfortunatly the goverment, many toy makers and many toy sellers have not accepted their responsibility for safe toys, even as these toys harm our children. Christmas is near. This year let's put aside all the tripe and hype that permeates the toy industry. Buy safe responsible gifts for your children.

Now the gift giver must assume responsibility for safe child gifts. Here is information that will help you.

Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant.

Stuffed toys should be washable.

Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.

Art materials should say nontoxic.

Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

The Right Toys at the Right Ages

Steer clear of older toys, even hand-me-downs from friends and family. Those toys might have sentimental value and are certainly cost-effective, but they may not meet current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they can break and become hazardous.

And make sure a toy isn't too loud for your child. The noise of some rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys can be as loud as a car horn - even louder if a child holds it directly to the ears - and can contribute to hearing loss.

Always read labels to make sure a toy is appropriate for a child's age. Guidelines published by the Consumer Protection Service Commission and other groups can help you make those buying decisions. Still, use your own best judgment - and consider your child's temperament, habits, and behavior whenever you buy a new toy.

You may think that a child who's advanced in comparison to peers can handle toys meant for older kids. But the age levels for toys are determined by safety factors, not intelligence or maturity.

Here are some age-specific guidelines to keep in mind:

For Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Look for toys that are sturdy enough to withstand pulling and twisting. Make sure that eyes, noses, buttons, and other parts that could break off are securely attached.

Make sure squeeze toys, rattles, and teethers are large enough that they won't become lodged in a child's mouth or throat, even if squeezed into a smaller compressed shape.

Avoid toys with cords or long strings, which could present strangulation hazards to young kids.

Avoid thin plastic toys that might break into small pieces and leave jagged edges that could cut.

Avoid marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are 1.75 inches (4.4 centimeters) in diameter or less because they present choking hazards.

For Grade-Schoolers

Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and inline skates should never be used without helmets that meet current safety standards and other recommended safety gear, like hand, wrist and shin guards. Look for CPSC or Snell certification on the labels.

Nets should be well constructed and firmly attached to the rim so that they don't become strangulation hazards.

Toy darts or arrows should have soft tips or suction cups at the end, not hard points.

Toy guns should be brightly colored so they cannot be mistaken for real weapons, and kids should be taught to never point darts, arrows, or guns at anyone.

BB guns or pellet rifles should not be given to kids under the age of 16.

Electric toys should be labeled UL, meaning they meet safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission lists toys that have been recalled at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html. I'm sure there are still toys out there that should be recalled but haven't been. There are also many, many great toy gifts available. Just be observant and follow the guide lines above. Look for toys made in the USA and at small toy manufacterers specializing in natural and educational toys. With just a little extra effort, I'm sure you'll find the perfect toy for that child you love so much.

Jim@JimsGiftService.com is concerned with all health and safety issues in the gift world. So are the stores he has choosen to publish on his website www.jimsgiftservice.com.

Parts of this article were originally published by KidsHealth.org and reviewed by Kate Cronan, MD.