Advantage Publishers Recall of Educational Kits

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

Note: telephone number change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally issued July 10, 2001
Revised July 1, 2002
Release # 01-193 		Educational Kit Recall Phone Numbers: (858) 450-3556 or (858) 457-2500 X-2575
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 Lilian Shia (858-450-3556) or Lynn Brennan (858-457-2500 X-2575) at Advantage Publishers Group 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.

Picture of Optical Illusions Kit


Picture of Recalled Pen from Let's Start Kit


Picture of Recalled Counting Frame from Let's Start Kit


Picture of Let's Start Kit