I came across a good article in the Seattle Times with some interesting tips around shopping. Based on a Consumer Reports investigation, the article not only reports some findings, but also gives good advice, which is timely for the holidays.

As the article points out, dollar and closeout stores are destinations for shoddy products. Manufacturers have sometimes cut corners on safety, trying to meet demand for rock-bottom prices.

Of the five things to avoid in dollar stores, three are of particular interest to the new parent. Make sure toys are labeled correctly. By law, toys with small parts or sharp edges must be labeled as inappropriate for children under 3. But some imported toys, particularly those made in China, might be mislabeled or unlabeled. The article’s tip: “To be safe, stick to toys with larger parts. How large? If any piece of the toy is small enough to pass through the tube of a toilet-paper roll, it could be unsafe for toddlers.”

Avoid soundalike brand names. For example, it was found that some Dinacell batteries were packed to look like Duracells. I think you get the picture on that one. By the way — a battery labeled around a dinosaur name might lead me to believe I was buying an extinct power supply.

During our new-parent trainings, we’re often asked about lead in toys — how can parents avoid purchasing tainted product? Avoiding dollar store toy purchases is one way. It turns out that several brands of soft, insulated lunch boxes have sometimes tested positive for lead. As the article reports, “Although several states have issued recalls for these lead-bearing products, CR has found them in dollar stores.”

You get what you pay for, so stick to age-appropriate product, major brand names, and just to be safe, check the national product recall list. It’s a lot of work for the parent or gift giver, but worth the peace of mind.

Kolcraft is voluntarily recalling about 425,000 infant play yards. The play yards have a raised changing table attachment with a restraint strap that forms a loop beneath the changing table, posing a strangulation hazard to a child placed in the play yard without first removing the changing table.

Visit their site for more information.

About 1 million Simplicity and Graco cribs have been recalled after three children became entrapped and suffocated. This article appeared in the Sept. 22 issue of the Idaho Statesman.