Consumer Products Recalls

Advantage Publishers Recall of Educational Kits 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.

Poisoning

Choking

Suffocation

Lead

Lead

Suffocation

Century Recall of Multi-Use Strollers Century Products Co., of Macedonia, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 650,000 "Take 2," "Travel Solutions," "Pioneer," "Travelite," and "Pro Sport" 4-in-1 strollers. The strollers can unexpectedly collapse or the car seat/carrier adapter can unexpectedly detach. When this happens, an infant or young child inside the stroller or an attached car seat/carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries. Century has received 681 reports of incidents, including 250 injuries when the stroller unexpectedly collapsed or the car seat/carrier adapter detached. These reports include three concussions, two skull fractures, one fractured elbow, and two chipped teeth. The remaining injuries include bruises and cuts. The recalled strollers are for toddlers when used alone and for infants when a car seat/carrier is connected to the stroller. The model names for the recalled strollers can be found on the footrest, the seat pad, the legs of the frame or on a white label on the side locks. Model Name Years Made Take 2 2000 Travel Solutions 1999-2000 Pioneer 1998-2000 Travelite 1997-1998 Pro Sport 1996-1999 Mass merchandise, juvenile products and discount department stores nationwide sold these strollers from approximately December 1996 through March 2001 for between $100 and $200. Consumers should stop using these strollers and call Graco, which now owns the "Century" brand name, toll- free at (800) 345-4109 anytime to order a free repair kit. Consumers should have their strollers available, as Graco will help consumers determine if they have one of the recalled models. Consumers also can log on to the company's website at www.gracobaby.com Parents should continue to use these carriers as car seats. CPSC and Graco remind caregivers to always restrain infants according to the instructions when in the car seat/carrier.