You still need to be careful when you shop for toys, according to a report being released on Tuesday by the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. It describes several toys that pose hazards ranging from toxins to choking. Spokeswoman Shaina Shay said they are still finding toys with excessive levels of lead.

"The Marvel Superhero Squad Soft Shield that contains 2,900 parts per million of lead, which violates the standard by 29 times,” Shay said. “Also the Ninja Turtles pencil case."

Other hazards identified in the report include tiny magnets that can be swallowed, toys that pose a threat of choking and loud toys. 

Shay said toys held within an inch of the ear should not produce noise exceeding 65 decibels, but that one went well beyond that.

"The Leapfrog Count and Chat Smartphone, which is clearly intended to be held up to the ear, exceeds not only the 65-decibel range but prolonged periods of 90 decibels," Shay said.

She said toy safety has improved in recent years, because of a combination of increased federal regulation and better-informed consumers, but she said there is no comprehensive list of potentially hazardous toys, so consumers have to be careful.  

For more information, go to: arizonapirg.org and toysafetytips.org.