October 21, 1999 6:29 a.m. EDT \

Weather Radio Recalled Due to Programming Error

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Midland Consumer Radio Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., has recalled 9,000 incorrectly programmed weather radios.

The error can cause customers to miss important information about approaching severe weather, putting lives and property at risk, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

Only model 74-200 radios that have serial numbers beginning with 904 or 905 are being recalled. The model and serial numbers are found on the bottom of the radio. Other Midland radios are not involved in this recall.

Because of the programming error, the radio may not recognize certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service, the commission said.

No incidents have been reported.

Electronic, hardware, mass merchandise stores and truck stops sold the radios nationwide from May until August of this year for about $70.

The commission recommends customers return the recalled radio to the original place of purchase for a new, correctly programmed, 74-200 radio. For more information, customers are advised to call Midland Consumer Radio at (877) 302-1904.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 21, 1999

Answers

Old Git... many thanks for the heads-up... wondered why the weather radio I'd bought my hubby for Father's Day hasn't even gone off. Yup... it's from Midland.

I'll call tomorrow!

Thanks, gp

-- georgia peach (the.patch@worldnet.att.net), October 21, 1999.