There's so much to do around the holidays, and there are a lot of distractions as you're shopping, so safety may not be as big of a priority as it should be.

But Mike Yeso, owner of Deluxe Toy & Hobby in Martins Ferry, assures us all that the manufacturers have done their part, and with a little effort you can do your part too.

“Be a label reader as far as toy safety,” he said. "These manufacturers are pretty spot on in their recommendation for age grouping.

That advice is even more important when buying online.

Joan Lawrence, senior vice president for The Toy Association, says current supply chain challenges may open the door for counterfeit or non-regulated toys.

“Check the reviews of the product, check the language that's used,” he said.

“Look for typos, or poorly photoshopped pictures. Anything that is contradictory or incorrect, you might want to move on to the next listing.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 198,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency departments last year.

“It's important to note, and CPSC highlights this, that toy-related does not mean toy-caused,” Lawrence said.

The CPSC also advises keeping deflated balloons away from children younger than 8, magnets away from any child under 6, and avoiding small parts for any child under the age of 3.

Keep that in mind, then follow your heart -- and your shopping list -- to that perfect toy.

If you have a concern about any toy or gift, you can always report it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission to help warn others.