CPSCJuly 10, 2001

CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to

CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to Replace Educational Kits

Why was CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to recalled?

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.

What should I do if I have this product?

Consumers should immediately remove the stencil sheets and pens from the activity kits and discard them. Customers should call Advantage Publishers Group to order a replacement piece. Contact: Customers should call Lilian Shia (858-450-3556) or Lynn Brennan (858-457-2500 X-2575) at Advantage Publishers Group. Consumers also can obtain information by going to the company's website at www.advantagebooksonline.com

What to do with a recalled product: refunds, receipts, safe disposal and how to report a problem.

Is my product affected?

Compare the item in your hand with every identifier below from the official CPSC record. Only products that match the listed product and identifiers are part of this recall.

Product
Let's Start™ Numbers and "Optical Illusions Lab" educational kits
Company
Advantage Publishers Group, of San Diego, Calif.
Quantity
About 160,000
Sold at
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.
Recall date
July 10, 2001
Incidents / injuries
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.
Agency
CPSC

Product description

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.

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