“Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant,

“Around the whole room, and he took every present!

“Pop guns! And bicycles! Roller skates! Drums!

“Checkerboards! Tricycles! Popcorn! And plums!

“And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly,

“Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney!”

- From “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss

We've all heard the popular story of that mean, old Grinch and how he attempted to steal holiday cheer from every Who down in Whoville. We know it's a story of fiction, but what if the story came true for us today? By giving children unsafe toys that have been recalled or are not age appropriate, the Grinch could pay an unwelcomed visit to your house this holiday season and steal your holiday cheer.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission is a great resource to acquire information on toy safety, recalls and selecting age appropriate toys for children. I encourage everyone who will be shopping for toys this holiday season to check out: http://www.cpsc.gov. On the Web site, you can access all recalled toys and children's products. There are also brochures available to help in selecting suitable toys for every child's age group and information on toy safety.

Be proactive. Don't wait until your child is injured before you inspect a toy. Toys should be constructed to withstand the uses and abuses of children in the age range for which the toy is appropriate. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sets forth safety regulations for certain toys. Manufacturers are required to design and create their products to meet those regulations to ensure hazardous products are not sold. Many toy manufacturers also comply with the toy industry's voluntary safety standards.

The government mandates certain toy safety regulations. Included in mandatory toy safety standards for all ages are: no shock or thermal hazards in electrical toys, highly limited lead paint amounts, no toxic materials can be used in toys, non-hazardous materials must be used in art material, and toys that contain latex balloons must be labeled with a warning of choking and suffocation hazards.

There are many mandatory toy safety regulations pertaining to each particular age group. Toys for children under three must be unbreakable, contain no small parts, and must not contain balls with diameters 1 3/4 inches or less. Toys for ages 3 and older that contain small parts or balls must be labeled with a warning of the choking hazard to young children. Any electrically operated toy for use by children younger than 8 years of age may not contain heating elements. Toys also may not contain sharp points or sharp edges.

The toy industry also maintains voluntary toy safety standards. These standards include age and safety labels on all toys, warning labels on crib gyms advising they be removed when a babies can push up on hands and knees, squeeze toys and teething devices must be large enough to prevent choking, toy chest lids must be manufactured so the lid stays open in any position, and string lengths on crib and playpen toys must be limited to reduce the risk of strangulation.

While out shopping for holiday presents and any other time of year, there are steps that can be taken to help limit risks to children:

#&149; Always abide by the listed age and safety label on toys

#&149; Keep balloons away from children

#&149; Avoid rounded and oval objects that fit easily into a child's mouth

#&149; Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children

#&149; Check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards

#&149; Store toys safely to avoid tripping hazards

An area where safety issues may not always be considered, but must be included in, are thrift stores. Often, toys and equipment that have been recalled or have damage or safety issues are donated to thrift stores for use by others. These items may pose hazards to children, and it is very important that families become aware of the hazards and recalls before using second-hand toys and equipment. Some tips to help in making safer purchases are:

#&149; Make sure cribs meet current national safety standards and are in good condition and have not had a recall

#&149; Be sure clothing contains no drawstrings around the hood

#&149; Be sure to check that playpens and play yards have not been recalled

#&149; Make sure car seats and infant carriers have not been recalled

#&149; Do not buy older accordion-style child safety gates

#&149; Do not purchase bean bag chairs with zippers that can be opened as many contain small foam pellets that may cause a suffocation hazard

#&149; Check all toys for recalls, safety and damage

While decorating for the upcoming holiday season, safety must be the first rule of thumb. Never use lighted candles on or near evergreen trees and keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper. Never place candles where they can be knocked down. Keep candles out of the reach of children. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant trimmings and decorations. Avoid materials that contain lead, are sharp or breakable, have small parts or resemble candy or food. Fresh evergreen trees are much less of a fire hazard. Use lights that have been tested for safety and have been checked for damage. Plan for safety. Always remember to look for and eliminate potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees and electrical connections.

Make this holiday season one of safety and sensibility. Do research and educate yourself on recalls, age appropriateness and safety. Keep the Grinch away from your holidays.

Elizabeth Akers Farrell is the child care resource and referral specialist for the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes office in Auburn