The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us once again. We are all a little busier with shopping, preparations, gatherings with family and friends and letters to Santa filled with wishes for toys. Like most parents, I love seeing my son's eyes light up when his wishes are answered and one of those toys is uncovered under the Christmas tree.

Unfortunately, finding the right presents for our children this year has become more difficult than just knowing what the hot toys are on the playground. As we head off to the stores we need to ask ourselves: "Is this toy toxic?" It's sad that too often the answer is "yes."

Earlier this year, I was shocked to learn that many of the popular wooden "Thomas the Tank Engine" toys were recalled because of high levels of lead in the paint. My son had many of these trains, which I had been buying unaware that I was putting a dangerous chemical into the hands of my little boy.

What was even more disturbing was that the toys were recalled back to models made in 2005. That means it took two years to even discover the problem. For my son and many children in our state, those were two formative years at a stage when many toys found their way into our toddlers' mouths.

The federal government has not done enough to protect our children, but that doesn't mean that we have to follow suit in Maine. Two bills were accepted as emergency measures will be considered when the Legislature reconvenes in January that would work to ensure that the products actively marketed toward and used by our children are safer.

My bill focuses on testing for the presence of lead toys and other products already in the marketplace, items that are commonly used by children. Toys that are found to be unsafe would be publicly identified so that they could be removed from store shelves and parents could protect their children.

Scientists have found there is no safe level of lead for children -- even the smallest amount affects brain development and affects children's ability to learn. And when children are exposed to lead, the developmental and nervous system impacts are irreversible.

I propose that the cost of testing would be paid for by using a small portion of existing money already being paid by paint makers to the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund.

A second bill, submitted by House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree of North Haven, would identify and catalog toxic chemicals used in toys and other household products that children are exposed to and ultimately keep those chemicals from ever making it onto store shelves.

You can help by becoming engaged in the process and letting your legislators know how important these measures are to your families. In the meantime, parents have other ways to help protect their children.

A good resource is the Web site www.healthytoys.org, which provides a consumer action guide for toxic chemicals in toys. It lists chemicals of concern, toys that are known to contain these chemicals and those that do not. You may be surprised what popular toys have already made it on to the list of "worst toys." Should you have a toy that you learn contains lead or other chemicals, you should immediately remove it from your home.

The Web site also has tips for selecting safer products, such as avoiding toys made with vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Sometimes this can be identified by the symbol stamped on the toy identifying the product as #3 plastic. As other types of plastic also contain chemicals that have been found to be harmful, it may be easier to choose toys that are not made of plastic at all.

It also recommends we avoid children's metal jewelry and toys with small pieces, especially magnetic pieces.

Also consider this season, and every season, that books, warm clothes, board games, puzzles, non-toxic play dough and art supplies, musical instruments, ice skates and other more traditional gifts have served previous generations well, and, if my son is any indication, are still loved and appreciated equally today.

Enjoy this holiday season with your family and have a healthy and happy new year.

Rep. Jill Conover, D-Oakland, represents part of Oakland and Sidney. She serves on the Insurance and Financial Services Committee.