Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE BUREAU of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has issued a red alert against all models of Kamura liquid petroleum gas stoves, labelling the appliances as dangerous.
Among other defects, the BSJ warned that the substandard stoves have the potential to cause explosions inside their oven cavity as well as toppling on users if enough pressure is applied.
STOVES BANNED
The BSJ is advising consumers that the stoves, which are made in Panama, have been banned and shoppers should not be lured into purchasing
the ones that have entered
the country.
While there are no reports of these defective Kamuras causing any deaths or injuries, the BSJ has received "complaints of malfunctioning stoves and stoves of poor quality."
The BSJ also highlighted that the hazardous stoves are in breach of several other minimum safety standards.
The BSJ is encouraging consumers who have already purchased the faulty piece of equipment to return the same promptly and "demand a refund".
If reimbursement is not forthcoming from the point of sale, the BSJ is encouraging consumers to contact the Consumer Affairs Commission.
REPORT SIGHTINGS
The BSJ said it is also soliciting the help of citizens in finding these "dangerous" Kamura stoves. "Consumers are being advised to report the presence of the Kamura gas stoves and any other dangerous product by contacting the Bureau of Standards and/or the police so that these products can be immediately withdrawn from the market and (be) destroyed," read a portion of an advertisement placed in The Gleaner yesterday.
The stoves are tested under the compulsory Jamaican Standard 277: 1999 Household Cooking Appliances using Liquefied Petroleum Gases which establishes minimum standards of construction, performance and safety for household cooking appliances using liquefied petroleum gases.
BSJ warns nation of 'dangerous' stoves
The Kamura stoves do not meet the minimum safety standards in terms of their construction and performance. Among the most important ones:
1. They do not have safety devices in the oven to avoid gas leakage and build-up of gas, which can result in possible explosions inside the oven cavity.
2. They do not have insulation to protect the stoves from high surface temperatures.
3. They do not have thermostats to control and regulate flow of gas (gas consumption).
4. They do not have the minimum structural requirements to be safe for users.
5. They have very weak structures that can result in stoves tilting over on users, particularly children.
6. The stoves are not durable.
