NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney says there has been a rise in the number of toys taken off the shelves this year, as well as several recalls of dangerous toys.

"It has been a terrible year for recalls," she said.

"I think we've been having one a week at one stage.

"It has been the use of lead paint in children's toys, the awful experience with the shockingly toxic poison used in the Bindeez products as well as hundreds of toys that have been significant choking hazards."

Ms Burney says there are simple rules to follow when buying toys.

"The smaller the baby, the bigger the toy," she said. "I don't mean more expensive, but I mean the larger the toy.

"When buying for a seven-year-old, remember there may be a two-year-old at home and please always check warning labels and the age range on labels." - By ABC Australia, Copyright