FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2000
Release # 00-169a |
Company Phone Number: (800) 869-7779
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058
Oregon Scientific Media Contact: Jesse Rotman, (847) 948-5948 |
Weather Radios Recalled by Oregon Scientific
PRODUCT: Weather Radios - Oregon Scientific Inc., of Tualatin, Ore., is recalling about 10,000 desktop weather radios. These All Hazards Weather Radios use S.A.M.E. technology to receive local weather warnings broadcast by the National Weather Service. The radios also function as AM/FM clock radios and have model number WR-122 printed on the bottom. Writing on the radio reads "NOAA Weather Radio" and "OREGON SCIENTIFIC." The radios have two rectangular screens which display both a standard clock and a dot matrix display of weather forecasts and warnings of severe weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Also, there are five black buttons on the right side of the radios that read "NOAA," "MESSAGE," "AM/FM," "PRESET" and "VOLUME." The unit measures about 6.75 inches long by 5.25 inches wide. The weather radio can be placed upright on a table or mounted on a wall. Office super stores, mass merchandise, home and hardware stores, catalog, and web sites sold the radios from December 1999 through July 2000 for about $70. Only radios with model number WR-122 are part of this recall.
PROBLEM: The radio can fail to decode certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service or can provide incorrect warnings of severe weather that puts lives and property at risk.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: The firm has received 12 reports from consumers that did not receive an emergency signal broadcast by the National Weather Service. No injuries have been reported.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should not rely on the recalled weather radios to receive emergency information. Call Oregon Scientific for instructions on returning the radio to receive a free replacement. Oregon Scientific will reimburse consumers for postage. Consumers can call Oregon Scientific at (800) 869-7779 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site at http://www.websitetoday.net/osi/.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.