"November is the Nationwide Fire Prevention Emphasis Month" ... Fire Agency Promotes Winter Fire Safety Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The National Fire Agency has designated the period from November 1 to February 28 of next year as the "Winter Fire Safety Measures" period to prevent fires and reduce damage during the winter season, and is promoting various fire prevention policies.

According to the National Fire Agency on the 28th, there were a total of 213,108 fires in the past five years, of which 58,005 cases, accounting for 27%, occurred during the winter season from December to the end of February of the following year, making it the second highest after spring (62,612 cases, 29%).

However, the number of fire-related deaths was highest in winter with 610 people (39%), surpassing spring (404), autumn (323), and summer (235). The number of injuries was also highest in winter with 2,876 people (30%), followed by spring with 2,576 (26%), autumn with 2,273 (23%), and summer with 2,018 (21%).

In particular, there were 57,950 residential fires over five years, of which 16,717 cases, or 29%, occurred in winter. The National Fire Agency analyzed that this is closely related to the increased use of heating devices due to cold weather. It was also pointed out that preventing large-scale accidents such as the Jecheon fire and the Miryang fire, which occurred consecutively in 2017 and 2018, is the most important factor in reducing casualties.

In preparation for the winter season, which has a high number of fire casualties, the National Fire Agency will strengthen management of large fire-vulnerable targets such as high-rise buildings, traditional markets, and large construction sites from November to February of next year.

For traditional markets, a joint inspection team consisting of fire, electrical, and gas experts will be formed to conduct special fire inspections. Monthly training will be held to secure access routes for fire trucks, and on the second Wednesday of every month, a self-inspection day led by the market merchants' association will be operated.

For large construction sites, joint inspections will be conducted in collaboration with local labor offices starting in December, and continuous monitoring of fire-related work such as welding will be strengthened.

The full inspection of high-rise buildings over 30 floors, which has been underway since October, will be completed by the end of this year, and from early next year, fire drills tailored to the characteristics of the buildings will be focused on, starting with initial evacuation drills.

Meanwhile, the National Fire Agency has designated November as the "National Fire Prevention Emphasis Month" and will focus on fire prevention education by creating a fire-safe environment through various promotional materials, including the slogan "Prepare for small fires, evacuate first for large fires." Especially this year, as part of COVID-19 prevention measures, non-face-to-face and online fire safety education and the 119 Safety Experience Festival will also be held.

Jeong Moon-ho, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said, "We will concentrate all our capabilities on fire safety management to ensure that no large fires occur this winter," and urged, "Above all, safety requires everyone's participation, so please make it a habit to follow safety rules at home and work."

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