Jeonnam Fire Department: "Please Be Especially Careful of Fires in Winter"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) has urged special caution in fire prevention as 38.5% of fire-related deaths over the past five years have occurred during the winter season.

According to the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters on the 29th, from 2015 to last year, fires occurring in the winter season accounted for 4,691 cases, which is 35.2% of the total 13,344 cases. During this period, there were 35 deaths, representing 38.5% of the total 91 fatalities.

By location, the number of deaths was 57.1% (20 people) in residential facilities, 14.3% (5 people) in forest areas, 5.7% (2 people) in other buildings such as vinyl greenhouses, and 5.7% (2 people) in sales and office facilities, with more than half of the damage occurring in residential facilities.

The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters analyzes that this is due to increased indoor living caused by cold weather, leading to increased use of heating devices.

By cause, negligence such as leaving embers or flames unattended accounted for 12 deaths (34.3%), arson for 6 deaths (17.1%), and electrical factors such as short circuits caused by insulation deterioration for 5 deaths (14.3%), in that order.

Park Sangrae, Head of the Response and Prevention Division, said, “Winter fires cause significant casualties compared to the number of incidents, so caution is required when handling heating appliances and other fire-related items,” and added, “To prevent damage from residential fires, it is essential to have fire alarms and fire extinguishers installed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.