Seongdong-gu Installs 'Gas Timer Cock' for Dementia Patients and Seniors in Their 70s

On the 27th, Seoul's first autonomous district ordinance enacted to support installation of gas accident prevention safety device 'Gas Timer Cock'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is supporting the installation of the gas safety device ‘Gas Timer Cock’ for elderly people in their 70s who are inexperienced in using gas and households with dementia patients to prevent fire accidents caused by careless gas use.

On the 27th, Seongdong-gu became the first autonomous district in Seoul to enact the ‘Ordinance on the Support for the Distribution of Gas Timer Cock in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.’

The ‘Gas Timer Cock’ is a device that automatically closes the intermediate valve after the user-set gas usage time has elapsed. It is effective in preventing gas explosion accidents caused by overheating when users leave food or laundry on the gas stove and go out or rest.

Unlike existing safety device support projects conducted by Seoul City and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, which target only economically vulnerable groups, the district focused on supporting installation in households with dementia patients and elderly residents aged 70 or older, who are at high risk of gas safety accidents due to carelessness.

Accordingly, 80% of the installation cost is supported for all residents aged 70 or older, and for dementia patients and vulnerable groups aged 70 or older, the full installation cost is covered, providing free installation.

A district official stated, “With the enactment of this ordinance, the budget has been reflected since 2021, and installation support will be prioritized for households with dementia patients until 2022. Residents aged 70 or older will be supported sequentially within the budget.”

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Fires caused by gas do not end as accidents in one household but can lead to misfortune for the entire neighborhood. By distributing safety devices to households vulnerable to risks such as dementia patients, we expect to prevent fire accidents in advance, ensuring the safety and comfort of our residents and contributing to their psychological stability.”

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