Aging multifunction toilet seats with heating elements have been identified as the cause of three house fires in the Tokyo area over the past six years, according to published reports. None of the fires resulted in substantial property damage, serious injury or loss of life.
Aging multifunction toilet seats with heating elements have been identified as the cause of three house fires in the Tokyo area over the past six years, according to published reports. In the most recent incident, which occurred in April, the toilet seat was about 18 years old and the family had observed a leak and other abnormalities up to six months before the fire but did not take corrective action.
In the two other cases the toilet seats were about 10 years old, the reports said. In each case, the wiring of the heated seats had deteriorated with age.