Seocho-gu, Nationwide First to Support 'Indoor Floor Mats for Multichild Families'

Let Kids Stuck at Home Due to COVID-19 Run Freely!...For Families with Three or More Children (Ages 0 to Middle School), All Elementary or Two Elementary If Middle School Included...Apply Online on Seocho-gu Website, Delivery Available by Courier Next Week

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “Lately, I have been very worried about noise between floors. With three children running and playing inside the house due to COVID-19 restrictions, I kept warning and scolding them to avoid disturbing the neighbors, so it’s great that the district office is providing safe mats.”

These are the words of Mrs. A, a housewife living in Yangjae-dong.

Seocho-gu (District Mayor Eunhee Jo) is supporting foldable floor mats (approximately 240×140×4cm) for families with multiple children to reduce noise between floors caused by children staying at home and to create a safe childcare environment.

This support was conceived by Seocho-gu, which has always proactively identified and addressed residents’ inconveniences, noting that many families experienced increased noise between floors as children spent more time indoors due to delayed school openings caused by COVID-19.

In particular, given the high proportion of apartment and multi-family housing at 84%, the district expects many cases of noise complaints between floors, and it anticipates that providing indoor floor mats will help prevent such issues.

The eligible recipients are families registered as residents of Seocho-gu as of the application and delivery dates, with three or more children aged 0 to middle school students. All eligible children must be elementary school age or younger, or if middle school students are included, at least two must be elementary school age or younger.

Applications are accepted through the district office website to accommodate residents who find it difficult to visit in person due to COVID-19.

The father, mother, or head of household of the eligible children may apply. Required documents include the application form and a resident registration certificate listing the eligible children. Applicants can expect delivery by courier the Friday following their application. In-person applications can be submitted at the district office’s Family Policy Division, and from the 20th, at local community centers.

Additionally, since these products will be used by growing children, the district carefully selected mats that meet safety standards. Only products that have passed tests for eight heavy metals and are registered under the “Special Act on Safety of Children’s Products” will be supplied.

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo said, “With the national total fertility rate below one, we have prepared this special support to encourage families raising multiple children in Seocho-gu. As school openings have been delayed due to COVID-19 and children spend more time at home, we hope these indoor mats will ease parents’ concerns about noise between floors and be useful for childcare.”

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