Christmas Toy Safety: Parents urged to be alert when shopping

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Also on Christmas shopping and also on toys. Consumer groups are urging parents to think about safety when choosing toys for their children. Each year, dangerous toys make their way onto store shelves, with the potential to cause serious harm. CGTN's Greg Navarro has more from Sydney.

This may not be the conventional way to treat toys until you consider some of the items left in the steamroller's wake.

MATT KEAN NSW MINISTER FOR INNOVATION AND BETTER REGULATION "We found a Peppa the pig chainsaw with small parts that could break off and present a choking hazard. We found a frog rattle, again for small children, small parts could break off and pose a choking hazard."

They were pulled from New South Wales store shelves by state inspectors - who checked hundreds of businesses and identified about 2 dozen dangerous toys.

"So we found some absolute shockers out there."

The top of the list - this highly flammable Christmas wreath.

MICHAEL MORRIS, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT FIRE AND RESCUE NSW "That was literally a matter of seconds to gain ignition and within 30 seconds you have a very decent sized fire on your kitchen table."

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Despite the work of state inspectors here and authorities in other cities and countries - some dangerous toys are going to make it onto shelves that have no business being there - which puts the ultimate responsibility of keeping kids safe onto parents."

That includes checking to see whether a toy is well made or a cheap knockoff.

"The stuffing just comes right out."

Whether they contain parts small enough to be considered a choking hazard.

"Things like zippers that could detach."

And whether the toys are up for the kind of handling that they're likely to encounter.

"As you can see even small parts are coming off of it."

KIM GILMOUR, TEAM LEADER CHOICE "I think the key thing this Christmas is not to get too worried but just be vigilant."

Because despite what manufacturers will tell you.

Some toys really do deserve the kind of treatment - that ensures they'll never get into the hands of young children.

Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.