Toy maker Mattel announced its second toy recall in a month. Some of the items are die-cast cars containing high levels of lead, while millions of others contain small magnets that could cause fatal intestinal perforation or blockage if swallowed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has details.

I have the urge to give my son no toys except those we have carved ourselves from naturally fallen wood in our backyard. No, that’s a bit extreme. I might include salt dough made with organic flour.

On a more serious note, here are a few resources on toy safety and lead poisoning:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has several guides on toy safety for children from newborn to 14 years old, as well as information on lead poisoning and screening.
• The Centers for Disease Control lists a variety of products that may contain high levels of lead, and cautions “A variety of work and hobby activities and products” may also expose adults and their families to lead.
• Keeping Your Kids Safe from Lead Jewelry, by the Sierra Club, offers useful hints like “Avoid purchasing toys from vending machines. In 2004, 150 million pieces of children’s jewelry were recalled from vending machines nationwide,” “Avoid glossy, fake painted pearls which may be painted with lead-paint,” and “Test suspect jewelry. LeadCheck swabs are available at most local hardware stores. . . . You can also order test kits online at www.leadcheck.com.”