School Specialty Publishing Recalls Children's Science Kits for Thermal Burn Hazard

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2006
Release #06-240

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 253-5469
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

School Specialty Publishing Recalls Children's Science Kits for Thermal Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: "Ideal" and "Brighter Child" Brand Science Kits

Units: About 43,000

Distributor: School Specialty Publishing, of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: The battery case in the science kit can overheat, posing a thermal burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: School Specialty has received one report of the battery case overheating, which resulted in a young boy receiving minor burns to his fingers.

Description and Models: This recall involves Ideal and Brighter Child-brand science kits. Models included are "All About Electricity," "All About Magnets," "The Science Search Lab: Electricity," and "The Science Search Lab: Light." The kits were sold in brightly colored 11 3/4-inch by 12-inch boxes with a plastic window and door flap on the front.

Sold at: Educational stores and bookstores nationwide, and the schoolspecialty.com Web site, from July 2004 through May 2006 for between $16 and $24.

Manufactured In: South Africa

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the science kits and return them to the place of purchase or School Specialty for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can contact School Specialty toll-free at (800) 253-5469 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.schoolspecialtypublishing.com