Press release 2007.11.22 [NITE Warns:　Hazards related to Charcoal Briquettes Kotatsu, and Kerosene-fired Water Heater and Kerosene-fired Water Heater fitted Bath-Tub recalls]

NITE Warns:　Hazards related to Charcoal Briquettes Kotatsu, and
Kerosene-fired Water Heater and Kerosene-fired Water Heater fitted Bath-Tub recalls

National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
Life and Welfare Technology Center
Novemver 22, 2007

The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) today issued a press release on the following two safety alerts. The information has also been placed on NITE’s website to call for consumers’ attention.

1. Press release

Release date:

November 22, 2007

Title:

Safety alert on preventing accidents linked to "Charcoal briquettes kotatsu*"
(*foot warming table with a coverlet)
Safety Alert on recalls of Kerosene-fired Water Heaters and Kerosene-fired Water Heater fitted Bath-tubs

Publisher:

Life and Welfare Technology Center

Summary:

NITE is urging consumers to make proper use of charcoal briquettes kotatsu and is calling attention to recalls of kerosene-fired water heaters and bath-tubs fitted with kerosene-fired water heaters. The following is a summary of these safety alerts. Full information can be found in two "NITE Alerts" placed today on NITE’s website at:

• http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/084/news084.html
• http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/085/news085.html

Charcoal briquettes kotatsu

Numerous serious accidents involving charcoal briquettes kotatsu that have resulted in death and property being destroyed by fire have been reported. With the approach of winter, the frequency of kotatsu use is set to increase. NITE is issuing this safety alert detailing accident examples and providing instructions on the proper use of kotatsu in order to prevent further accidents from occurring.

Kerosene-fired water heaters and kerosene-fired water heater fitted bath-tubs

Failures have been found in some components manufactured by Noritz Corporation, TOTO Ltd. (manufactured by TOTO Yupro Ltd.) and Choshu Industry Co., Ltd. Continuous use of the relevant products has caused multiple accidents including fire and internal burnout of the appliances. In response, the three companies have placed company announcements on newspapers and offered inspection and repair services to prevent further accidents, however, similar accidents have continued to occur in appliances that have yet to be inspected and repaired despite their efforts.
NITE is encouraging consumers to check the manufacturer and model of the products in use. If the product is subject to recall, we urge consumers to discontinue use of the appliance immediately and contact the manufacturer.

NITE Alert (English Translation)

1. No.84 Charcoal Briquettes Kotatsu
   http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/084/news084.html
2. No.85 Recall of Kerosene Fired Water Heaters
   http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/085/news085.html

Press briefing paper in Japanese
http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/press/prs071122.pdf [PDF:15KB]