May 17, 2007 - Fire Danger Trivia

I want to thank Gary, W6NVY, who took over Net Control duties last week when I was a bit "under the weather." Thanks, Gary!

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Which household item has recently been recalled because of electronic malfunctioning and fires?

A - Clock radio made in Japan
B - Stereo system made in Japan
C - Doorbell made in Japan
D - Toilet made in Japan

TRIVIA ANSWER:

D - Toilet made in Japan

Japanese toilet makers INAX and Toto reported cases of malfunctioning "washlets," a combination toilet and bidet, emitting smoke or catching fire from 1991 to 2005. INAX had recalled 30,000 toilets in 1985 because of overheating and Toto said it would check 180,000 units made over a two-year span for possible repairs.



Kumi Goto, an employee of Toto Limited, one of the leading makers of toilets in Japan, demonstrates a control unit of the company's newly developed toilet seat "New Neorest" series at their showroom in Tokyo, in this February 1, 2005 file photo. Japan's second-biggest toilet maker INAX Corp. has joined porcelain powerhouse Toto with tales of smoking toilets and burning bidets. REUTERS/Issei Kato


Here's a news story about it:

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's second-biggest toilet maker INAX Corp. has joined porcelain powerhouse Toto with tales of smoking toilets and burning bidets.

INAX, owned by JS Group Corp., said it had not made public seven cases of malfunctioning "washlets" -- a combination toilet and bidet common in Japanese homes -- that smoked or caught fire from 1991 to 2005.

The company said it had reported the incidents to the appropriate government ministry and no one was injured.

INAX's announcement followed an apology Monday from Toto Ltd., which revealed that 26 malfunctioning washlets had emitted smoke and another three had caught fire.

adafumi Morioka, head of INAX corporate communications, said the company had recalled 30,000 toilets in 1985 due to cases of overheating and fire involving bidet-type models.

Market leader Toto said Wednesday it would check 180,000 Washlet Z-series units made over a two-year span for possible repairs, but it added that no injuries had been reported.

Spokesman Yasuhiko Matsumoto said Toto, known for high-tech washlets with warm seats, blow-dryers and even air purifiers, had received over 100,000 telephone calls since Monday.

"We've been promoting a culture of washing one's backside since 1980, and that's given us a 60 percent market share. We want customers to contact us as soon as possible if there's a problem," Matsumoto said.

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Well, there's no fooling you guys. Here's tonight's list of folks that checked in to the net and their answers. This one was too easy!

* WB6A - Pat - Doorbell
* AC6AJ - Lee - Toilet
* WB6ATV - Ron - Toilet
* W6CWM - Jim - Toilet
* KE6CZH - Robert - Toilet
* KG6DBL - Bill - Doorbell
* W6DTS - Ted - Early Check In
* K6FCC - Khalil - Toilet
* N6HY - Ernie - Toilet
* KB6IS - Madeline - Toilet
* KD6JEV - John - Toilet
* KG6KTC - Leon - Toilet
* NY6L - Jay - Doorbell
* KE6MSS - Thomas - Toilet
* N6NGU - Lee - Doorbell
* W6NVY - Gary - Toilet
* KG6NWJ - Barry - Doorbell
* KD6OBM - Jason - Toilet
* K6QVZ - Joe - Toilet
* KG6RDA - Sidney - Toilet
* AD6UP - Louie - Toilet
* KF6YBM - Henry - No Answer
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Toilet
* N6ZZK - Theo - Toilet
* WA6QAG - Max - Toilet

Thanks to all. See you next week!

73. de N6CIZ.