Midland weather radios
CPSC Recall #00-007a - November 15, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-007a |
| Recall Date | November 15, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 9,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Electronic |
| hardware |
| mass merchandise stores and truck stops nationwide sold the radios from May 1999 through August 1999 for about $70. |
Product
Midland weather radios
Description
PRODUCT: Midland Weather Radios - Midland Consumer Radio Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., is recalling 9,000 weather radios. Only model 74-200 radios that have a serial number beginning with 904 or 905 are being recalled. The model and serial numbers are found on the bottom of the unit. The digital radio measures about 7.75 inches long, 5 inches wide and 2 inches high, and is made of black plastic. "MIDLAND SAME DIGITAL WEATHER/HAZARD ALERT MONITOR" is written on the top of the radio. This radio has a specific area message encoder (SAME) to sound alerts for an entire weather service broadcast area or for up to 15 selected areas. The radio has a battery backup, antenna, built-in alarm clock, digital message display for 56 types of watches or warnings, and alert status lights for statement, watch, or warning. Electronic, hardware, mass merchandise stores and truck stops nationwide sold the radios from May 1999 through August 1999 for about $70. Other Midland weather radios are not involved in this recall.PROBLEM: The radio contains a programming error, which can cause the device to fail to recognize certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service. Consumers could fail to receive some National Weather Service notices advising of a severe weather threat putting lives and property at risk.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Immediately return the recalled radio to the store where purchased to receive a new model 74-200 radio that has been programmed correctly. Consumers also can return the radio directly to Midland Consumer Radio, 1670 North Topping Ave., Kansas City, MO 64120 for replacement. For more information, call the company at (816) 241-8500 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
Hazard
The radio contains a programming error, which can cause the device to fail to recognize certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service. Consumers could fail to receive some National Weather Service notices advising of a severe weather threat putting lives and property at risk.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately return the recalled radio to the store where purchased to receive a new model 74-200 radio that has been programmed correctly. Consumers also can return the radio directly to Midland Consumer Radio, 1670 North Topping Ave., Kansas City, MO 64120 for replacement.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.