Better U.S. standards mean safer holiday toys

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government says tougher safeguards for toys mean better choices for families this holiday season.

But it's important to buy age-appropriate toys, have the proper safety equipment and make sure kids play in safe surroundings.

Consumer Product Safety Commission head Inez Tenenbaum tells The Associated Press that tough U.S. standards on lead content are one reason for a decline in toy recalls.

There have been fewer than 45 recalls this year, compared with 50 a year ago and 172 in 2008.

The agency also says it received 12 reports last year of toy-related deaths involving kids younger than 15. That's just half as many as in each of the two prior years.

The bad news: Toy-related injuries are rising.