There are several top ten lists around, of which the best research seems to be the one compiled by the WATCH (world against toys causing harm) organization.

If you go through this list you will see the kind of toys you might expect - for instance, the number one is a type of splattergun. Missiles, weapons and vehicle-type toys, such as the little cycle shown at number five, it's easy to see have potential to cause accidents.

However, you will also find some very harmless looking things, like fluffy toys. Where a soft toy is considered dangerous, it's usually because it has been badly made and safety guidelines have not been followed. The pony at number 7, for example, looks cute but it has long hair that can easily be pulled out and swallowed by a small child.

If buying a toy for a young child, the best advice is to make sure that it has a safety standards guarantee on it and that it is marked as suitable for a particular age range.