DENVER, Nov. 20, 2007 -- With concerns about toy safety in the news, finding the perfect gift for the children on your list may seem more daunting than delightful. To help concerned parents and grandparents prepare for the busiest toy shopping days of the year, the experts at leading online toy retailer eToys.com compiled ten important tips for safe toy selection and supervised play. eToys.com, part of BabyUniverse, Inc., is a one-stop shop for children's products, with more than 24,000 toys and games at www.etoys.com.

1) Check the manufacturer's recommended age. This is the most important step in safe toy selection. Age recommendations measure the safety of a toy -- not your child's IQ. They are based on four different aspects of the toy:

• Potential choking hazards, which pose the greatest threat to kids under age three
• A child's physical ability to play with the toy
• A child's ability to understand how to correctly play with the toy
• General developmental needs of a particular age group

2) Ensure that younger siblings play only with their own toys. Keep a close eye on younger children who want to mimic older siblings by playing with the older child's toys. Permitting young children to play with toys intended for older children can be very dangerous. Instruct older kids to put unused toys away, well out of reach of younger children.

3) Shop at a well-informed online retailer like eToys.com. eToys.com will notify you by e-mail if a toy you ordered through its web site is recalled later and provides up-to-date information on recalls.

4) Take the time to teach your children how to use new toys. Accidents can happen when misuse occurs, so help keep your children safe by making sure they're playing with toys correctly. Keeping an eye on your children during playtime can help ensure age-appropriate choices and safe activities.

5) Remove toy package and wrapping immediately. Don't store toys in their original packaging. Plastic wrap can cause suffocation, and staples or sharp plastic edges can cut.

6) Avoid hand-me-down or garage sale toys. As economical as they may be, these types of toys may be too worn or contain parts that don't meet current safety standards.

7) Never give small children plastic bags, wrapping or latex balloons. Choking is a major concern for young children and these items could obstruct a child's airway completely.

8) Make sure little riders wear appropriate safety gear. The gift of a riding toy should include the right gear. Proper fit and consistent use is critical. Find guidelines for recommended gear by toy type at the eToys Safety Center.

9) Sign up for CPSC e-mail alerts. Get automated news of all product recalls by signing up at www.cpsc.gov.

10) Visit the eToys Safety Center. Find additional tips on toy safety, and more ideas to ensure safe play at the eToys.com Safety Center (www.etoys.com/safety).

ABOUT BABYUNIVERSE

BabyUniverse, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIDS) is a leading commerce, content and new media company for growing families. BabyUniverse provides comprehensive eCommerce and eContent resources to help families plan, play and grow. The company's toy business offers thousands of toys and children's products through its eToys.com web site, catalogs and strategic retail partnerships; and personalized dolls and accessories through its My Twinn.com brand. Through its baby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby, toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com and DreamtimeBaby.com web sites. The company's luxury brands, PoshTots.com and PoshLiving.com, reach the country's most affluent consumers with luxury baby apparel and furnishings. With its content sites, BabyTV.com, PoshCravings.com and ePregnancy.com, BabyUniverse has established a recognized platform for the delivery of content and new media resources to a national audience of expectant parents. BabyUniverse is a market-leading digital content and eCommerce company focused on parents.