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(Arizona News Connection) With the holiday gift-giving season here, consumer advocates want to make sure parents and caregivers understand the threats some toys can pose to children.

Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, said it is crucial for parents to do their homework and know what they are buying. The group's most recent toy safety report highlighted the growing popularity of 'smart toys.'

Murray observed toy manufacturers are making everything from stuffed animals and dolls, to race car tracks and even board games, more tech friendly.

"A lot of times these companies are collecting data," Murray pointed out. "Maybe they're using it for play, but then they're also using it in many cases to market things to your child that maybe you don't want your child to have, or they're just putting information in these databases."

Murray added parents may find smart toys have their benefits, like keeping your child engaged for longer, but she encouraged parents and gift-givers to look at privacy policies and find out what kind of information and data is being gathered and shared.

Murray noted despite some toys being potentially harmful, they still remain available. One is called 'water beads,' colorful, squishy sensory toys the size of pinheads or ice cream sprinkles. They expand when placed in water. If ingested, the beads expand and can block a child's airway or damage the digestive tract. Pets can be at risk, too.

Murray noted this week Amazon, Walmart and Target announced they will no longer sell water beads after the end of the year.

"Congress just introduced legislation a couple of weeks ago to ban water beads as toys, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has indicated that they're going to put some kind of restrictions on water beads," Murray acknowledged. "But here is the thing that is unfortunate, is that's not going to help for water beads they already have in their home."

Murray recommended if you do have water beads in your home, especially if you have a child or pet, get rid of them. You can make sure toys you buy or already own are safe by following tips at toysafetytips.org.

Murray would like to see online marketplaces held to the same standards as brick-and-mortar stores, to mitigate the sale of recalled and counterfeit toys. She advised parents to read labels and ensure their kids have access to age-appropriate toys.

"Sometimes parents will say, 'Well, you know, my child is advanced for his or her age,'" Murray added. "OK, great. Maybe intellectually but not necessarily developmentally. So, you're just better to be safe than sorry."