Fan and Air Conditioner Fires Concentrated from June to August... 82 Cases Occurred in Incheon Over 5 Years

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Fires are concentrated during the months of June to August when the use of cooling devices increases, requiring citizens' careful management and attention.

According to the Incheon Fire Headquarters on the 27th, from 2015 to last year, a total of 82 fires caused by cooling devices such as fans and air conditioners occurred in Incheon, resulting in 7 injuries and property damage worth 345 million KRW.

The main causes of the fires were electrical factors with 64 cases (78%), followed by mechanical causes with 13 cases (15.9%), and negligence with 1 case (1.2%).

Related fires were most frequent in July (25 cases, 30.5%), when the use of fans and air conditioners is high, and were concentrated in the period from June to August (66 cases, 68.3%).

The fire authorities stated that to prevent such fires, fans or air conditioners should be operated only after thoroughly removing dust and checking for any abnormalities.

Also, to prevent fires caused by overheating, timers should be set to avoid prolonged use, and especially, the air ventilation openings on the back of fans should not be blocked with towels or clothes, nor should multi-branch power strips be used.

A representative from the Incheon Fire Headquarters urged, "Please regularly clean the surroundings and interiors where fans and air conditioner outdoor units are located to prevent dust accumulation, and frequently check the condition of wire insulation to prevent cooling device fires during the summer season."

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