Reason: Product can fail to alert users to severe weather. Distribution: Nationwide.

Tualatin, OR, Aug 24 (SafetyAlerts) -- Oregon Scientific, Inc., said today it is recalling about 10,000 desktop weather radios. The product can fail to decode certain signals broadcast by the National Weather Service, or can provide incorrect warnings of severe weather.

The "All Hazards Weather Radios" use S.A.M.E. technology to receive local weather warnings broadcast by the National Weather Service. The products 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 like 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, and can be placed upright on a table or mounted on a wall. Office super stores, mass merchandise, home and hardware stores, catalogs 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.

The firm has received 12 reports from consumers who did not receive an emergency signal broadcast by the National Weather Service. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should not rely on the recalled 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.

Oregon Scientific can be reached at (800) 869-7779 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Or visit the firm's web site