Is 2007 the year of the recall? First, the pet food fiasco. Then, the beef recall. Now, Mattel recalls more than 18 million toys, only two weeks after 1.5 million Chinese-made Fisher Price toys were recalled.

Parents are definitely concerned. The recalled toys include popular items such as Barbie dolls, Polly Pocket play sets and Batman action figures. According to a parents' guide to toy recalls on Time.com, the toys have been recalled because of lead paint and loose magnets. The small, loose magnets glued onto the toys may be accidentally swallowed by children. If toys that contain excessive amount of lead ingested, children may face developmental and health problems, such as hyperactivity, low IQ and kidney damage.

It's not just parents who feel the pain. A co-owner of a Chinese toy company that makes many of the recalled Fisher-Price toys committed suicide in his company's warehouse. This happened only days after Chinese officials temporarily banned the company from exporting products. His co-workers described his act as "unbearable losses" from the toy recall.

So what should parents do? The U.S. Public Interest Research Group advises parents to stick to common sense, such as keeping toys with small parts away from children. And what is Mattel's plan to keep children safe? According to the press release on their Web site, Mattel is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, other regulatory agencies and retailers worldwide to identify and remove affected products.

For more information on Mattel toy recalls, go to AOL News and search for Mattel recall on AOL Search.

Hot Searches from August 14, 2007:
1. Phil Rizzuto -- Yankees Hall of Famer dies at 89.
2. Giada De Laurentiis -- Food Network star joins the cast of 'Today' show.
3. Craig Carton -- Former co-host of the 'The Jersey Guys' replaces Don Imus.
4. Ferris wheel -- 5 family members die from an overturned Ferris wheel car in Korea.
5. 'America's Got Talent' -- Final four contestants are selected.
6. Mattel -- More than 18 million toys recalled.
7. Tropical storm Dean -- The first Atlantic hurricane of the 2007 season?
8. Toy recall -- More recalls increase concerns among parents.
9. Brian "Crush" Adams -- Wrestler dies after he was found unconscious at home.
10. 'Live with Regis and Kelly' -- Celebrates 20th anniversary with Kathie Lee Gifford.
11. Mary Louise Parker -- Poses nude for 'Weeds' a publicity photo.
12. Robin Roberts -- 'Good Morning America' co-host returns after cancer surgery.
13. Imus -- Settles with CBS and faces first lawsuit by a basketball team player.
14. Dog the Bounty Hunter -- Shares a common past with a hunted one.
15. 'Today' show -- Fourth hour starts next month.
16. Fisher-Price -- Co-owner of a Chinese toy manufacturer commits suicide.
17. Kat Von D -- 'LA Ink' premiere is the most-watched series debut on TLC.
18. 'Dancing with the Stars' -- Returns in September.
19. Avril Lavigne -- Hangs out with gal pals in California.
20. 'Hell's Kitchen' -- Rock is Head Chef for the Green Valley Ranch Resort and Spa.

See sponsored links for: toys, online toy stores, children's toys.