NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - A big, blue stuffed monster, a Clifford the Big Red Dog wind-up toy and a jewelry set are among the toys that may be dangerous for young children, a consumer group said Tuesday.

The list is part of the annual Trouble in Toyland report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, and comes just days before the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.

There were 255,100 toy-related injuries, including 25 deaths in the United States last year, according to recent figures from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the government agency responsible for investigating product complaints. Nine of the reported deaths were children who choked on balloons, toy balls and small toys, according to the report.

None of the specific toys listed in the PIRG report are responsible for any known deaths, according to the CPSC. However, of the 25 deaths reported last year, 10 were caused by scooters, (9 motor vehicle accidents, 1 fall). Others were caused by balloons, riding toys, toy boxes, building blocks, remote-controlled toys and balls.

The CPSC issued its own report Tuesday alerting consumers to toys it has already recalled.

Sully and Boo doll from Disney contains small parts. (Source: U.S. PIRG)

"We've made our list and want consumers to check it twice," CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton said."Preventing needles tragedies and providing a safe environment are the best holiday gifts parents can provide their children."

PIRG, which says its report has led to more than 100 recalls and other enforcement actions in the last 17 years, said this year it intends to distribute a new "Tips for Toy Safety" brochure to help parents identify the most common toy hazards. The brochure is available on the Web at the link found below, or can be obtained directly from PIRG

"Children needlessly choke to death on toys, and toys that pose hazards to children can still be found on store shelves," said Jen Thompson, a U.S. PIRG Consumer Associate and one of the report's authors.

Clifford wind-up toy. (Source: U.S. PIRG)

Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. Though 25 deaths were reported last year, 207 children died between 1990 and 2000, helping to spur the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act requiring warning labels be placed on toys intended for older children, but which contain small parts that could harm children under 3, the report said.

Though the CPSC uses a standard measure of 1.75 inches diameter as a minimum for toy balls, U.S. PIRG spokeswoman Elizabeth Hitchcock said parents, as a general rule of thumb, can use the toilet paper roll test. If a toy is small enough to pass through the end of a toilet paper roll, it's probably a choking hazard for children 3 and under.

"I don't care if they're the brightest three year-old in the world. If they put things in their mouth you need to keep small toys away from them," Hitchcock said.

Lovely Kids Jewelry set, which U.S. PIRG says is a choking hazard. (Source: U.S. PIRG)

Though most of the toys on PIRG's list have not been recalled, CPSC spokesman Ken Giles said Tuesday the agency would look at those toys and recall them if necessary.

Common sense would seem to suggest keeping small parts away from young children, Giles said, but it's all too common to see toys purchased for older children, which are appropriate, but that contain small parts that can be deadly to younger siblings.

"This is a classic dilemma," Giles said. "Children under 3 put everything in their mouth. Until that child is above three, you should have no small parts."

Among the toys cited by PIRG as having small parts that pose a choking hazard for children under 3 are the Sully and Boo Doll manufactured by the Walt Disney Corp. (DIS: down $0.34 to $19.30, Research, Estimates) and sold at Disney stores for $19.95; a Clifford the Big Red Dog wind-up toy manufactured by Toy Island Manufacturing. The toy sells for $1.99 at KB Toy Stores; The Lovely Kids Jewelry Set, manufacturer unknown, sells for $1.50 at Value Mart in Silver Spring, Md., according to PIRG.

Hello Kitty ball is too small, U.S. PIRG says. (Source: U.S. PIRG)

Small balls considered choking hazards include the Hello Kitty Super Bouncy Ball made by Sanrio Co. Ltd. and sold at Zany Brainy stores for $3.25; a foam baseball made by Coolballs, 99 cents at Claire's Boutiques at Tyson's Corner Center in McLean, Va.

The Musical Mobile, manufacturer unknown, has no label warning parents to remove the mobile when the child reaches 5 months old, or begins to push up on hands and knees. It sells for $12.99 at the Distribuidora El Salvador Del Mundo in Washington, D.C.

One Fish, Two Fish book contains toxic PVC. (Source: U.S. PIRG)

The "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" book from Random House is made of PVC plastic containing toxic phthalates. It sells for $3.99 at Marshall's in Silver Spring, Md.

The CPSC list includes toys and children's products that have already been recalled and are no longer available, but that still may be in people's homes, Giles said.