"Report First in Case of Fire" ... January Fire Casualties Account for 12.7% of Annual Total

Over the Past Decade, an Average of Over 42,000 Fires Annually... 302 Deaths per Year
Evacuate Quickly Following Emergency Exit Lights During Fires... Remove Obstructions from Emergency Exits

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Due to the recent unprecedented cold wave, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has urged special caution to prevent casualties caused by fires as the use of heating devices has increased.

According to the Ministry on the 14th, over 42,000 fire incidents (an annual average of 42,652 cases) have occurred every year over the past decade from 2010 to 2019, resulting in a total of 2,176 casualties, including 302 deaths and 1,874 injuries.

Looking at the monthly fire incidents over the recent five years (2015?2019), fires begin to increase from November when the cold sets in, peaking in March, which is the peak season for wildfires and grass fires. January, when the use of heating devices rises due to the onset of severe cold, also shows a high number of fire incidents and accounts for the highest proportion of casualties throughout the year at 12.7% (1,453 out of a total of 11,423).

Examining the types of casualties caused by fires, 8 out of 10 victims suffered from inhalation of toxic gases (smoke) or burns. When looking at the time of fire occurrences, incidents gradually increase during the daytime when people are mostly active, peaking around 2 p.m.

Notably, fire-related deaths occurred regardless of the time of day. Although it is generally assumed that most fire deaths happen at night while people are asleep, the fact that deaths continue during the day suggests that victims were unable to evacuate in time during the fire.

To reduce casualties caused by fires, if smoke or fire is detected, one should immediately shout or press the emergency bell to alert those nearby and promptly call 119. If the fire is in its early stages, attempt to extinguish it using nearby fire extinguishers or water, but if the flames grow too large to control, evacuate quickly.

Especially when using multi-use facilities, familiarize yourself with emergency exits and evacuation stairs first to prepare for emergencies such as fires. In case of fire, evacuate following the emergency exits and evacuation routes opposite to the fire location, and never use elevators as they can be extremely dangerous due to power outages; always use the stairs. When evacuating, cover your nose and mouth with a towel or clothing dampened with water and keep a low posture while following evacuation lights and signs.

To evacuate quickly within a short time, regularly maintain fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors and emergency bells to ensure they function properly, and always keep fire doors closed.

Kim Jong-han, Director of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Prevention and Safety Policy Division, emphasized, "Despite the many casualties caused by recurring fires every year, it is still common to find objects blocking emergency exits, evacuation stairs, and escape devices." He added, "For quick evacuation, it is essential to regularly manage and ensure that emergency escape routes are not obstructed by objects."

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