Ages, small parts, and what we actually check.
The boring page. Read it anyway — it's the one that matters.
Choking hazard — under 3 years. Toys marked for ages 3 and over contain small parts. A small part is anything that fits through a tube 3.17cm across — roughly the width of a toilet-roll inner. If a younger child is in the house, assume they will find it.
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What "Ages 3+" means and doesn't
It's a safety floor, not a difficulty rating. A 3+ label means the toy is safe for a three-year-old, not that a five-year-old will find it too easy. When you're picking a gift, use the age on the listing over the age on the picture.
Batteries
Button cells are the dangerous ones — they're the size of a coin and they burn if swallowed. Every toy we sell with a button cell has a screw-shut battery door. Check the screw is tight before it goes in the toy box.
What we check before it goes on the shelf
Every new item gets opened, handled, and pulled at. We check for sharp edges, loose seams on plush, paint that comes off on a wet cloth, and small parts that weren't declared. Things we don't like don't get listed.