In 2000, copies of "Toy Story 2" showed up on a big-box store's shelves with sections from an R-rated comedy laced with non-child-friendly language spliced into the film. A quick recall hoped to spare tender ears from the unfortunate editing error.

 

But that's not the whole story when it comes to fun and games that can harm kids.

 

According to a new study, from 1990 to 2011 more than 3.25 million kids ended up in the emergency room because of toy-related injuries — half of them younger than 5. And recent years have seen a 40 percent bump in that stat.

 

So as you give toys gifts this year, remember:

 

• Kids 3 and younger are at risk for choking on small parts of toys. (Magnets are especially harmful.) About 14 cases a day are reported! Avoid giving these troublemakers to older kids too, so you won't expose younger siblings to a second-hand risk.

 

• Foot-powered scooters account for 28 percent of injuries to kids younger than 5, and 42 percent of injuries to older kids ages 5 to 17. It's estimated that an ER-worthy scooter injury happens somewhere in North American every 11 minutes. Always give helmets as a present when you give a scooter, trike, bike, or skates. Train all kids, and supervise those 8 and younger. And have them use knee and elbow pads.