Why Did Mapo-gu Disaster Safety Helpers Make Over 20,000 Cold Wave Check-in Calls to Elderly Living Alone?

During the 6th day of the cold wave advisory, continuous checks on boiler and water facilities' normal operation and health status... Since the 5th, a total of 664 disaster safety helpers in Mapo-gu have been conducting phone consultations to ensure the safety of elderly living alone in the area

Visiting the Homes of Elderly Living Alone

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the 10th, Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it is strengthening protection activities for vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone, disabled persons, chronic patients, and homeless people, as well as safety accident prevention activities for residents amid a cold wave advisory continuing for six days.

Since the first cold wave advisory of this winter was issued on the 5th, the district has set up a cold wave countermeasure situation room and is focusing on protecting vulnerable groups and managing facility safety.

As the severe cold wave continues day after day, the district is particularly strengthening check-up activities such as welfare calls, checking the normal operation of boilers and water facilities, and monitoring health abnormalities for vulnerable groups requiring special attention, including elderly living alone, disabled persons, chronic patients, and homeless people. These measures aim to prevent cold-related illnesses and safety accidents caused by weakened immunity.

Since the 5th, a total of 664 disaster safety helpers in Mapo-gu have conducted 12,057 phone consultations to check the safety of elderly living alone in the area.

For 762 elderly people who were difficult to reach by phone, officials visited their homes directly to check on their well-being.

For disabled persons and chronic patients, 1,049 welfare calls were made, and 299 people were visited on-site to inspect for any safety issues.

Separately, Mapo-gu has designated and is operating 16 community centers in each dong as temporary cold wave shelters. Each dong is conducting welfare calls and on-site inspections for a total of 4,531 vulnerable people during the recent cold wave.

A public official in Seongsan 1-dong discovered a gas boiler malfunction at the home of an elderly person living alone during an on-site inspection and immediately proceeded with boiler replacement work.

To prevent safety accidents especially among homeless people who are particularly vulnerable in winter, the district formed an inspection team of 6 members in one unit that patrols major areas twice a day.

Recently, they conducted 18 street consultations and distributed 50 hot packs and about 100 masks as cold protection supplies to them.

In addition, a patrol team consisting of 30 members in 4 units patrols daily to check for power and gas outages or supply interruptions and to manage the safety of facilities such as public restrooms.

Also, the district promoted damage prevention by distributing guidelines on emergency preparedness during cold waves through SNS (Twitter, blogs, etc.) and electronic billboards (10 locations, 540 times) to residents.

An elderly person who recently received a home visit inspection from Mapo-gu staff said, “I cannot go outside and have been living alone at home feeling lonely, so I cannot express in words how grateful I am that the public officials came directly to check on me and offer help.”

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The difficulties are increasing as the severe cold wave overlaps with the already challenging situation due to COVID-19,” adding, “Although there have been no major casualties or property damage so far, we will do our utmost to continue inspections and safety accident prevention activities to minimize damage to the lives and property of residents.”

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