"Please Be Aware of Energy Safety Before Chuseok" (Comprehensive)

Most Gas Accidents Caused by Carelessness
Basic Precautions Like Closing Valves Must Be Followed

Using Multiple Cooking Heaters
Risk of Fire Due to Overload, Be Careful

A Korea Electrical Safety Corporation employee inspecting a vulnerable facility. (Photo by Korea Electrical Safety Corporation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chae-seok] Energy public enterprises have urged safety precautions during the Chuseok holiday. Although travel is expected to be less than usual this year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the amount of food being cooked is surging and homes are being left unattended for longer periods than usual, increasing the likelihood of safety accidents. It is essential to thoroughly manage the safety of electric cooking appliances and to use power strips according to their designated capacity.

◆ Korea Gas Safety Corporation: "Turn off valves and ventilate"

A Korea Gas Safety Corporation employee inspecting for gas leaks and conducting disaster recovery checks. (Photo by Korea Gas Safety Corporation)

The Korea Gas Safety Corporation stated that most gas accidents during the Chuseok holiday over the past five years were due to user negligence and urged people to follow basic rules such as turning off valves and ventilating.

According to the Gas Safety Corporation on the 29th, there were 15 gas accidents during the Chuseok holiday period (including three days before and after the holiday) from 2015 to 2019. By gas type, there were 9 cases involving liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, 3 cases involving butane burners (cans), 2 cases involving high-pressure gas, and 1 case involving city gas.

The most common cause of accidents was user negligence, accounting for 33.3% (5 cases) of the total. Facility deficiencies accounted for 26.7% (4 cases). This means that most accidents occurred because users directly replaced LPG containers or used butane burners without following safety rules.

The corporation requested adherence to the following during the Chuseok holiday: prohibition of stacking multiple butane burners containing butane cans, prohibition of using butane burners or storing butane cans near electric stoves or other heat sources, prohibition of using oversized grills, and prohibition of heating butane cans to use residual gas.

Additionally, it emphasized that before leaving the house, users must turn off the burner knobs, intermediate valves, and main valves (for LP gas, the container valve). Upon returning home, the first action should be to open windows to ventilate the house. If gas leakage is suspected, it is safer to contact the local city gas company or LPG dealer for a safety inspection before use.

The Gas Safety Corporation plans to strengthen on-duty operations and maintain emergency dispatch readiness during the holiday period to thoroughly respond to accidents. They will respond promptly to gas accidents to prevent damage from spreading.

Lim Hae-jong, president of the Gas Safety Corporation, said, "During the holiday when gas usage surges, please regularly check for any abnormalities in gas facilities," and added, "To have a safe holiday with your family, please consider even minor rules important and follow them."

◆ Korea Electrical Safety Corporation: "Use power strips within capacity, one heating appliance at a time"

A Korea Electrical Safety Corporation employee inspecting a vulnerable facility. (Photo by Korea Electrical Safety Corporation)

The Korea Electrical Safety Corporation provided electrical safety guidelines. First, it is best to use only one heating appliance per outlet. Using many heating appliances simultaneously while preparing holiday food can cause overloads and potentially start fires.

They also recommend using power strips according to their specified capacity. Avoid touching electronic devices with wet hands, as this greatly increases the risk of electric shock. Checking that the circuit breaker operates normally at least once a month can help prevent electric shocks and electrical fires.

When leaving the house for an extended period or going out, always unplug or turn off power. Experts advise cutting power to all electrical devices except the refrigerator.

Furthermore, safety management of electric cooking appliances must be even more thorough. When using electrical devices that have not been used for a long time, be sure to check the insulation of the wires.

Since the 7th, the Electrical Safety Corporation has been conducting intensive safety inspections at over 12,000 facilities nationwide, including more than 4,000 traditional markets, hospitals, department stores, lodging facilities, and karaoke rooms?places used by many people. They plan to conduct joint safety inspections of specific vulnerable facilities upon request from the government or local governments.

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