Christmas is just around the corner and Santa is on his way. (And okay, we know that he says he's not going to give gifts to your child if he or she has been naughty, but in general, he's pretty forgiving.) What are you (and/or Santa) going to get your child this year for Christmas? You might want to consider the Playskool Dance Cam. Not only is it fun because it lets your child produce his or her own "shows" as the star character, but it fosters creativity, too. And, most important, it's very safe.

Of course, you want your child to enjoy the gifts you give him or her (and the Playskool Dance Cam is certainly enjoyable), and it's likely that your child might even have a wish list all filled out. However, of course safety is a key feature. Every day, we hear about product recalls and substandard toy products built in places that don't have the United States' safety standards. Therefore, it becomes a parent's duty to be extra careful when shopping for toys, no matter whether they're on your child's wish list or not.

So, with safety in mind first, take a look at your child's wish list (or your own shopping list) and consider these tips.

Try shopping locally first

First of all, if you shop locally, not only are you supporting a local business, but it's also likely that that particular store owner has taken extra care to make sure the toy products in stock are safe.

Check out safe toy places online

Simply typing in the keywords "safe toys online," "stores with safe toys," or something similar will bring up a number of sites that specifically specialize in toy projects that are unequivocally safe. They've been checked out and they've met standards, so check around to see what other consumers are saying and shop only at sites that get very high marks from other consumers.

Some national retailers make a special effort, too

Some national retailers make a special effort to make sure the toys they have in stock are safe. For example, specialty children's toy stores that are national chains are likely to meet a certain standard smaller private stores may not. (This may sound contradictory, by the way, given the earlier tip about shopping locally, but not if you have checked out the local retailer first and made sure that he or she has a good reputation.) These specialty chains have to stay in business, so if they don't make sure that their products, specifically children's toys, are safe, they're hurting their bottom line.

Check the brand

Major brands, like Hasbro Playskool, are taking extra steps to make sure the toys they produce are safe. This is one reason the Playskool Dance Cam is a good choice for your child.

Does the product come with a "seal of approval" from a major safety watchdog?

Organizations like Good Housekeeping often will put their stamp of approval on safe toys. This isn't foolproof, and some toys without seals of approval like this may certainly be safe even so. However, it's one more way to help you make sure that the toy you put under the tree or in your child's stocking will provide only fun, and nothing more.