"Beware of Electric Shock and Lightning Accidents During the Rainy Season"

Increased Risk of Safety Accidents Such as Electrocution and Lightning Strikes Due to Monsoon and Atmospheric Instability

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the rainy season begins in earnest, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has requested special caution to prevent safety accidents such as electric shock accidents caused by moisture and lightning strikes due to atmospheric instability.

According to the Ministry on the 8th, from 2017 to 2019, there were 1,555 casualties due to electric shock, of which 63 died. One out of every four electric shock casualties occurred between July and August, when it rains frequently due to the rainy season.

By type of electric shock, direct contact with energized parts accounted for 52.6%, more than half, followed by arc (spark discharge) at 35.2% (548 people), and leakage current at 7.2% (112 people). By age group, those aged 46-50 were the highest at 206 people (13.2%), followed by those aged 60 and over at 203 people (13.1%).

In particular, there were 85 electric shock casualties (5.5%) among children aged 0-5, indicating that special attention is needed to prevent electric shock accidents in infants and toddlers. Electric shock casualties mainly occurred during electrical work, maintenance, operation, and inspection of related equipment, but 97 people (6.2%) were injured due to play and games.

Additionally, summer is a period with frequent lightning strikes due to atmospheric instability, so special caution is required during outdoor activities. From 2011 to 2020, the average annual number of lightning strikes observed was 117,681, with 65.9% (77,569 out of 117,681) occurring in July and August.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged that to prevent electric shock accidents, leakage circuit breakers should be regularly checked to ensure they are functioning properly, and when maintaining or repairing electrical equipment, the power must be turned off before work. They also emphasized that when lightning is forecast, people should refrain from going out, and if outdoors during a lightning strike, they should take shelter in a car, building, or underground space?places that are safe.

Ko Gwang-wan, Director of the Safety Prevention Policy Division, said, "Although the rainy season started somewhat later than usual this year, the risk of various accidents is increasing due to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds from the beginning. During weather forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain, it is advisable to avoid going out as much as possible and to follow safety rules carefully to prevent unexpected accidents."

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