The Canadian Toy Testing Council on Monday urged parents to be vigilant and check labels routinely for potential safety hazards.

Leigh Poirier, the council's executive director, announced in Ottawa the top toy picks for 2008 which included a tortoise puppet, a children's digital camera and a 331-piece Lego snowmobile. Poirier said that while toy manufacturers are now emphasizing the safety of their products, many parents who participated in the testing were not in the habit of checking labels.

The Lego snowmobile has been named one of the top 2008 toys by the Canadian Toy Testing Council in its annual rankings.The Lego snowmobile has been named one of the top 2008 toys by the Canadian Toy Testing Council in its annual rankings.
(Canadian Toy Testing Council)

"A lot of consumers and parents didn't realize the majority of toys were manufactured in China," she said. "That just shows you a lot of them do not read the labels."

Poirier said manufacturers whose products made the top toy list submitted statements saying the toys meet proper safety standards.

In recent months, U.S. and Canadian officials have issued a series of recalls of made-in-China toys including Thomas & Friends toys, Barbie accessories, and Dora the Explorer toys for safety problems involving lead levels and magnets.

The council, which releases its list annually leading into the winter holiday season, evaluates toys using criteria including design, functionality, durability and play value.

Among the top picks this year:

  • A lifelike tortoise puppet manufactured by Folkmanis Inc. for toddlers.
  • ThinkFun's Sudoku Jr. travel game for budding puzzle masters.
  • Radio Flyer's ultimate family wagon, equipped with a canopy, seatbelts and cup holders.
  • Step 2 Corp.'s 103-piece kitchen featuring sizzling pots and play food.
  • A 331-piece Lego snowmobile and bulldozer construction set.

The Toy Testing Council, a voluntary, registered charity, has been testing toys since 1952.

Last week, Today's Parent magazine and the Canadian Toy Association released its rankings of top toys. Today's Parent excluded any toys containing traces of lead from its list.

With files from the Canadian Press