As the holiday shopping season gets underway, some important information on toys is coming out.

A new survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) says it found three main toy safety risks to small children: toxic hazards, noise, and choking.

"In the past two years at least 13 children have choked to death on balloons, balls, toys or parts of toys," said Elizabeth Hitchcock of PIRG.

For children under the age of three, PIRG recommends using a cylinder the size of a tissue roll to test the parts of toys.  If they fit through the cylinder, the toy is considered unsafe.

As for noise, PIRG says nearly 15% of kids between six and 17 show signs of hearing loss.  So, toys like play cell phones used close to the ear should not be louder than ten decibels measured from ten feet away.

Harmful chemicals found in toys are also a major concern.  It's long been known to avoid lead which can damage the central nervous system.  Also, phthalates, used to make plastic softer, are linked to reproductive defects. 

Yet, consumer groups and the toy industry say toys are safer than ever.  "There are tens of thousands of toys on store shelves and they found them to be in compliance with a few exceptions," said Joan Lawrence, VP of Toy Industry Association.

This year, there have been 38 Consumer Safety Product Commission (CPSC) toy recalls, down from more than 160 last year.

"These lower numbers don't reflect fewer inspections or investigations," said Robert Adler of the CPSC. "They really do seem to reflect great compliance with the law."

PIRG has launched a new interactive mobile phone tool and website to help shoppers check on possible hazards while in the store.  It is just one part of an on-going effort to help ensure that toys bring joy and not harm to children.

You can find the new mobile phone interactive site at www.toysafety.mobi

For more information on toy safety and recalls you can log on to the CPSC website.