RALEIGH -- There is trouble in Toyland this holiday season, according to the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG). The group is urging parents to avoid any toys with lead, small magnets, or choking hazards.

"When you're out there shopping, use common sense, especially when you're thinking about buying a gift for a child under three, be particularly careful," recommended NCPIRG’s Rob Thompson.

Every year, NCPIRG releases a list of toys parents should avoid. On this year's list: zipper pulls sold under the names, "Princess," "Diva," "Angel" and "Cutie"; Claire's Club Baby Hair Bands and Elastics; and small magnet earrings.

"If two or more parts of these earrings are swallowed, the magnets can actually become attracted to each other inside the body, causing serious internal problems," explained Thompson.

Already this year, millions of hazardous toys have been recalled leaving many parents to wonder which ones are safe and which ones to avoid.

“I don't want to be afraid that Thomas the Tank Engine or Dora the Explorer or Barbie or any other toy will hurt my child or other children," said Durham parent Michelle Kucerak.

There are some things parents can do at home. For instance, they can use an empty toilet paper roll to check if a toy is a choking hazard. If the toy easily slips through the roll, it is too small for children under the age of three.

Consumer advocates also recommend parents do their research before shopping. They say many imported toys are never checked by inspectors.

“There's something very wrong when the regulators we depend on are asleep at the wheel," said U.S. Rep. David Price, D-4th District.