(HealthDay News) -- Toys are a major part of children's fun and excitement during the holiday season, so parents and others need to make sure the toys are safe, experts say.

Read all warning labels carefully before buying a toy and consider the child's age, interests and skill levels, advise doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Among their other recommendations and warnings:

--Select toys with sturdy construction and avoid those with sharp edges and points.

--For children under age three, choose toys that are at least one inch in diameter and two inches long so they will not lodge in the child's throat or mouth.

--Don't buy toy jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium. Both are toxic metals that can harm children.

--Choking is a leading cause of toy-related deaths and most of these choking-related deaths are caused by toy balls, latex balloons and small magnets.

From the Alabama Hospital Association:

Six area hospital employees and three area physicians were honored for their dedication to the health care field today at a luncheon in Tuscaloosa hosted by the West Council of the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA).

The luncheon is one of seven regional awards presentations being held in November and December as part of the association’s ninth-annual statewide “Hospital Hero” award contest, which highlights health careers while recognizing the great accomplishments and compassion of hospital employees.  From the local winners, up to 10 state Hospital Heroes will be selected and honored at a banquet in February in Birmingham.  One statewide Hospital Physician Hero will also be recognized in February.