UPDATED Tuesday, November 24, 2009 -- 5:00 p.m.

The ads in Sunday newspapers appear colorful. The commercials for kids' toys - catchy!

But consumer advocates say some toys still sitting in stores put kids at risk!

"We look at hundreds of toys... "

Every year, WISPIRG picks a handful to help highlight some common hazards.

"We all know toddlers love to put everything in their mouths..."

It looks at everything from small parts that pose choking hazards...

"If a toy fits, or a part of a toy fits in this, it's too small for children under three years old."

To toys too loud for young ears...

"This here while maybe appealing quite appealing to a lot of kids, also exceeds decibel standard in new law."

The director of WISPIRG, or Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group... says the government's Consumer Product Safety Commission is making progress...But it does not test every toy.

For example, he says this book exceeds acceptable lead levels.

"Also, keep in mind... while you might be purchasing a toy for an older kid .. if they have younger siblings who could easily pick up the toy.. keep that in mind as well."

On the minds of some legislators - Bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical used in some plastics. It can leach from baby bottles and sippy cups.

The BPA Free Kids Act would ban BPA in items designed for children younger than 5-years-old.

"In a bottle or a sippy cup, where young children are taking most of their nutrition, they could be getting dangerously high levels of this neurotoxin," Assembly Rep. Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison) says.

But sometimes whether something's safe is less obvious.

WISPIRG also has introduced a new online tool for shoppers to check their list ... making sure what they give this season is safe.

"Consumers should feel confident most toys are safe...At the same time we want to be watchful. One toy related injury is too many," WISPIRG Director Bruce Speight says.

The online tool - with reminders for how to check out toys - is accessible by computer or smart phone at the links below.

A link to check for possible hazards, or to report them is www.toysafety.mobi for mobile devices and www.toysafety.net for web users.

You also will be able to find more information about the findings at:
http://www.wispirg.org/report.

Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2009 -- 1:00 p.m.

By NBC15's Dana Brueck

The non-profit consumer advocacy group WISPIRG (Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group) has released its annual list of unsafe toys still sitting on store shelves.

But the handful of toys on display Tuesday morning at American Family Children's Hospital are simply a sampling of what's out there, WISPIRG's director says.

Bruce Speight says they serve as examples of what parents need to consider as they shop for gifts this holiday season.

For example, if a toy has parts that fit into an empty toilet paper roll, they pose a choking hazard to young children.

Also, if a toy's too loud for an adult, it's too loud for a child.

He says the organization continues to find toys with toxins as well, including a book with lead in it.

Stay tuned to NBC15 News and nbc15.com for a complete report.

You also will be able to find more information about the findings at:
http://www.wispirg.org/report.

A link to check for possible hazards, or to report them is www.toysafety.mobi for mobile devices and www.toysafety.net for web users.