Original; see modified release: Advantage Publishers Recall of Educational Kits
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
This is the original of a document that has been modified. To see the modified version, click here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2001
Release # 01-193
Educational Kit Recall Hotline: (866) 748-3731 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to Replace Educational Kits
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Advantage Publishers Group, of San Diego, Calif., is
voluntarily recalling to replace components in about 160,000 "Let's
Start™ Numbers" and "Optical Illusions Lab" educational kits. The red
painted numbers on the acetate stencil sheet included in the "Let's
Start™" kit contain lead; and the gold paint bearing the words "Kasy's
Extrafine" on the black pen included in the "Optical Illusions" kit has
lead.
CPSC and Advantage Publishers Group have not received any reports of
incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of
injuries. Lead poisoning is a serious hazard to children, and is
associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing
problems and growth retardation.
The "Let's Start™" kit has a blue and red cover with a dog on the
front, and contains an interactive book that uses exercises and
activities to introduce children to numbers. The clear acetate stencil
sheet is part of a packet of activity pieces, including a cleaning
sponge, counting coins, a magic pen, and a counting frame. On the back
of the kit, it reads in part, "This product is suitable for use only by
children over 4 years of age." The "Optical Illusions" kit has a multi-
colored cover with various geometric shapes, and reads in part, "Only
for use by children over 8 years of age and under adult supervision."
The black pen is included with an activity book and various shapes and
images used to perform optical experiments.
Retail stores, national book chains, wholesalers and distributors, and
membership warehouse clubs nationwide sold the educational kits from
February 1999 through May 2001 for between $13 and $20.
Consumers should immediately remove the stencil sheets and pens from the
activity kits and discard them. Customers should call Advantage
Publishers Group toll-free at (866) 748-3731 any time to order a
replacement piece. Consumers also can obtain information by going to
the company's website at www.advantagebooksonline.com.
All other components of both kits are not involved in this recall
and should not be discarded.
