Watch for recalled toys when shopping

Black Friday signals the official start of the holiday shopping season with Cyber Monday right behind it.

While most stores are careful to keep recalled toys off their shelves and issue warnings, some of the hazardous items can still be found online or are in homes of unsuspecting families, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group reports.

The group has released it's 31st annual Trouble in Toyland survey of toy safety.

Lead paint, choking or ingestion hazards and overheating batteries and chargers top the list, the group warns.

Some of the recalled toys in the 69-page report include the Airplane and Butterfly push toys which pose a choking hazard, Wheelies semi-truck with six motorcycles and push-along motorcycle with rider that has excessive lead paint, and the My Snuggly Activity toys, which can break and cause a choking hazard.

Parents can shop with safety in mind, by subscribing to recall updates from the CPSC and other government agencies. They can also carefully examine toys for choking or ingestion hazards and look for cracks or sharp edges, the group advises.