 Hello everyone, I'm Alex Hoensar, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Well, today marks the official start of the holiday season and I know many of you are already out on Main Street or the mall shopping for gifts and holiday deals. I want everyone to have a happy holiday season. Most important, I want families to shop safely for toys and gifts. So I'd like to offer a few tips as you shop to keep the holidays happy and safe. When you're shopping for toys, always pay attention to the age rating on toys to make sure that they are appropriate and safe for that child. Small parts on toys for older kids can be a choking hazard so when you're choosing a toy, think about all the kids in the house in case there's a younger brother or sister around. Don't forget to buy safety gear like helmets and pads when you're buying bikes, scooters or other sports equipment for kids of all ages. Be aware of hidden hazards like button cell batteries that a young child can swallow or balloons or a thin plastic wrap that can cause suffocation. If you're getting it early start on online shopping, always buy it from stores and online retailers that you know from trust. To avoid counterfeits which can be a safety risk, scrutinize the product, the packaging and the label. As the price seems too good to be true, this could be a sign that the product is counterfeit. Look for a certification mark from an independent testing orientation and the manufacturer's label on electronic products. You can find more holiday safety tips for cooking, for holiday feast, for decorating your home safely at cpsc.gov. Thanks and have a happy holidays.