It is fair to say the most people who purchase a toy or product for a child do not purchase dangerous products on purpose. For example, they steer clear of items with sharp edges or small pieces that a young child could potentially choke on. The reality however, is that even products one thinks are safe can be dangerous.

There appears to be good news on the front concerning recalls of children's products. A recently report indicates that the number of recalls issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2011 is at its lowest rate since 2006. Compared to 2010, the number was down 24percent.

Despite this good news, according to the annual report issued by "Kids In Danger," the highest number of products recalled in 2011 were in the category of products used in the nursery. In 2011 they accounted for 30 percent of the recalls. Toys were next on the list of items recalled coming in at 26 percent.

Products related to children sleeping accounted for 14 recalls of children's products. Included in those recalls were bassinets, cribs, canopy beds and bunk beds. Often suffocation is associated with these types of products.

When a defective product does injure someone, a recall is not immediately issued. For that reason, regardless of how safe a product may seem, it is important that parents and caregivers properly monitor children as they use or interact with the toy or other item. They can also stay on top of product recalls by regularly checking web sites that report that information.

Source: KTNV, "Child product recalls," Daniel Gutierrez, April 3, 2012