NEW YORK—This holiday season, after various large-scale recalls, parents may understandably be jittery about buying toys. But a little research and a large dose of common sense—rather than a boycott of toys from China—can help shoppers make wise decisions, experts say.

Current worries about lead paint shouldn’t obscure more perennial safety concerns, such as choking hazards, shoddy workmanship and the like, no matter where a toy is made.

“There are a number of safety issues to look out for this season,” said Stephanie Oppenheim, publisher of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, an independent guide. “Parents need to be their own consumer advocate for children.”

Some tips for toy shoppers:

1. Be informed.

News about toy recalls can be found at www.cpsc.org., the Web site of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal watchdog agency. Retailers’ and toy makers’ sites, including www.mattel.com/safety/, also provide information.

This year, more than 21 million toys made in China were recalled for lead paint, tiny magnets that could be swallowed, or other potentially serious problems. Toy makers ranged from giant Mattel Inc. to smaller companies such as Kids II Inc., which recalled Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks.

In recent months, toy makers and retailers have stepped up safety measures. Mattel is testing every production run for lead paint, among other measures. Moves by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. include testing more toys in independent labs.

2. Pay attention to brands.

“Find products made by companies you can trust, and make sure you’ve checked the recall list,” said San Francisco-based Stevanne Auerbach, author of “Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys” (new paperback edition 2006, Educational Insights).

Rather than looking for a toy’s country of origin, make sure it carries a manufacturer’s name, added Jim Silver, editor of Toy Wishes, an industry trade magazine.

“Some products you often see, you can’t find manufacturers’ names,” he said. “Those I would be concerned about.”

Then make sure the manufacturer is a member of the Toy Industry Association, which adheres to industry standards, Silver said.

3. Shop at familiar toy stores.

“Most retailers are well informed and can be your best advocate for appropriately aged products,” Auerbach said. “Knowledge of your toy store also helps in cases like recalls because they can be your best information on exactly what product or products can have a problem.”

4. Be skeptical of “hot toy” lists.

“Now is not the time to buy something on the sale rack or because your child says she has to have it,” said Szymanski. Parents should trust their own judgment.

5. Follow age recommendations.

Parents of children under 3 need to be particularly vigilant and stick with toys labeled for that age group, and no older, Silver said.

6. Beware of toys with small parts, strings, splinters, projectiles or fuzz, which could get stuck in toddlers’ throats. Also, toxic-smelling or too-loud toys.

“If it doesn’t look right, if it sounds too loud, trust your instinct,” said Oppenheim.

She recommended that parents do an inventory of toys they already own and get rid of any that seem unsafe. Even fabric toys could pose a hazard if they are painted, she said.