Amman – Amid warnings issued by the Public Security Directorate against using the so-called “Shamosa” heater of all types inside homes under any circumstances—after it was confirmed that all suffocation cases recorded over the past 24 hours involved this type of heater—questions have been raised about the authorities responsible for monitoring these heaters before they entered the Jordanian market, particularly given the numerous risks they pose, according to energy experts.
اضافة اعلان
The latest victim of this heater was a 19-year-old man who died yesterday in the Marj Al-Hamam area of the capital governorate, according to the Public Security Directorate’s spokesperson.
The spokesperson confirmed that a joint government investigative committee, comprising all relevant and security agencies, has been formed to examine all the circumstances surrounding the suffocation cases and deaths and to identify points of failure.
He also confirmed that, as a precautionary measure, 5,000 heaters have been seized inside the factories that manufacture them, in addition to banning their sale in commercial shops.
All samples of heaters taken from factories, shops, and homes where residents suffered suffocation have been sent to the Royal Scientific Society for testing and to determine the causes of the deaths.
The spokesperson stressed the necessity of refraining from using this type of heater—commonly known among the public as the “Shamosa,” which is produced by several factories—under any circumstances until technical reports are issued by the competent authorities.
He also emphasized the importance of regularly ventilating homes to prevent the accumulation of toxic gases, as well as using fuel hoses no longer than one and a half meters.
The spokesperson further urged the public to pass this warning on to those around them and to anyone known to be using this type of heater, describing the warning as precautionary and of the utmost importance and seriousness.
Experts explained that the “Shamosa” is a type of portable heater commonly used in some Arab countries to heat homes during winter. Despite its effectiveness in providing warmth at a relatively low cost, it carries significant health and environmental risks.
Powers of the Energy and Minerals Authority
For her part, the spokesperson for the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission, Dr. Tahrir Al-Qaq, said that the authority’s responsibility lies in regulating entities involved in supplying petroleum derivatives and fuels used for heating, not in overseeing the type or efficiency of devices sold in the market.
In response to an inquiry by Al-Ghad regarding the Shamosa heater, Al-Qaq explained that the authority’s role includes granting licenses and permits to fuel suppliers after ensuring their compliance with all standards and requirements. Responsibility for overseeing the entry, circulation, and quality of devices in the market, however, falls to other regulatory bodies. She also urged citizens to ensure that appliances are safe and compliant with standard specifications before purchasing them.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the National Society for Consumer Protection, Maher Al-Hijjat, emphasized that the safety of citizens and their families is a top priority, calling on the public to take the Public Security Directorate’s warnings regarding the Shamosa heater of all types very seriously.
Al-Hijjat urged citizens who own these heaters to stop using them immediately and not to operate them indoors under any circumstances, stressing that this warning is extremely important following the recording of several suffocation cases over the past 24 hours linked to this type of heater.
He stressed the need for citizens to adhere to safety instructions and to fully cooperate with official authorities, noting that relevant agencies are currently examining samples of all types of these heaters. Joint teams have also begun halting their sale in commercial shops and manufacturing plants until final laboratory results are issued.
He added that the entry of such heaters into the market poses a serious threat to public safety, calling on the competent authorities to investigate the reasons behind their circulation and to work to prevent similar risks in the future.
Al-Hijjat further emphasized the importance of tightening market oversight to ensure that all heaters comply with technical specifications and safety standards, and of monitoring their use while exercising caution at all times to protect consumers and prevent future hazards.
Heater Defects
In this context, energy expert Hashem Aql said that the first and most important step for all types of heaters, regardless of fuel type, is obtaining approval from regulatory authorities, including the Standards and Metrology Organization and Civil Defense, in order to protect citizens’ safety.
Aql added that the importation or manufacture of any such device must comply with all public safety requirements, and that importers or manufacturers must obtain all required licenses and adhere to specified product safety conditions.
Regarding the Shamosa heater, he explained that it is a common portable heater used in some Arab countries during winter. Despite its relatively low cost, it carries major health and environmental risks.
He said the primary dangers include carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning—a colorless, odorless gas described as a “silent killer” produced by kerosene combustion, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces—as well as fire hazards, since kerosene is highly flammable. Fires may occur due to fuel spillage, refueling indoors, the heater tipping over, or proximity to flammable materials such as curtains and furniture.
Aql also pointed to additional drawbacks, including the need for regular maintenance such as wick cleaning and residue removal, its impact on oxygen levels in enclosed spaces, fuel and maintenance costs, and its negative environmental impact due to emissions.
Parliamentary Moves
In turn, Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee MP Ayman Abu Haniyeh said the committee will hold an urgent meeting today to review the many details related to the Shamosa heater following the Public Security Directorate’s warnings against its use.
Abu Haniyeh said he has contacted several relevant entities to understand the nature of this heater, how it entered the Jordanian market, the role of the Standards and Metrology Organization, and whether it is locally manufactured or imported, noting that the committee has dozens of questions requiring immediate answers.
He stressed that the parliamentary committee will address the issue with utmost seriousness, especially since this heater has caused the deaths of several citizens, adding that the committee is awaiting clear and explicit responses.
Security Warnings
Earlier, the spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate called on all citizens who own the heater commonly known as the Shamosa, of all types, to stop using it immediately and not to operate it indoors under any circumstances.
He stressed the extreme importance of this warning after it was confirmed that all suffocation cases recorded over the past 24 hours involved this type of heater.
He also confirmed that relevant authorities are examining samples of all types of these heaters and that results will be announced once testing is complete.
He explained that joint teams have begun inventorying these heaters in commercial shops and manufacturing plants in order to prevent their sale until laboratory results are obtained.
“Standards”: Ban on Heaters That Caused Suffocation
The Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization has banned three local heater factories from selling heaters in the local market pending the results of technical tests conducted by the Royal Scientific Society on samples, following incidents of suffocation and death. Quantities at these factories have also been seized.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the organization said that, in cooperation with the Public Security Directorate, more than 5,000 heaters have so far been confiscated and samples sent for testing at the Royal Scientific Society. It noted that these heaters have been on the market for years, are locally manufactured, and are not imported.
The organization added that such products, due to their sensitivity, are subject to strict regulatory procedures before and after being placed on the market to ensure public safety, stressing that there will be zero tolerance for any violations of specifications.
It warned manufacturers and commercial shops in possession of these heaters against selling them during this period under penalty of legal accountability, stressing the need to comply with decisions issued by the competent authorities until technical test results are released and subsequent decisions are taken accordingly. Citizens were also urged to stop using these heaters if they have them until test results are announced.
(Petra + Al-Ghad Newspaper)
