'Hazardous' Icicles Hanging from Buildings, Report to 119

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has issued a special warning regarding safety accidents caused by icicles falling from building exteriors during the cold winter season.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Fire Agency on the 10th, over the past three years (2017?2020), between November and March, firefighters have been dispatched a total of 4,886 times to remove dangerous icicles located in high-traffic and elevated areas. Although no major accidents caused by icicles have occurred in Korea, the average of about 1,600 icicle removals each winter means the risk remains significant.

The number of icicle removal cases by firefighters starts to increase from December, when the average minimum temperature drops below freezing, and rises approximately 2.6 times higher in January and February compared to December.

By region, the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, where the proportion of high-rise buildings is relatively high, account for 66.1% (3,232 cases) of all icicle removal incidents, showing a concentration in the metropolitan area.

Icicles mainly form when melted snow refreezes after snowfall. Therefore, to prevent accidents caused by icicles in winter, snow should be promptly cleared immediately after it falls, and rooftops or drainage areas of buildings where snow tends to accumulate should be regularly inspected. Additionally, since water often pools and forms icicles when pipes freeze and burst in cold weather, it is important to insulate pipes to prevent freezing.

If you find dangerous icicles hanging from high places such as building exteriors or the tops of underground passages, you should immediately report them to 119. Removing icicles hanging from high places yourself carries a high risk of secondary accidents such as falls.

Kim Jong-han, Director of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Prevention and Safety Policy Division, advised, "Unlike the icicles from childhood memories, icicles hanging from high-rise buildings in urban areas are extremely dangerous. If you find dangerous icicles, notify the building manager immediately so that safety measures such as installing control lines or warning signs can be taken."

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