Gyeongbuk Province Urges Caution for 'Safety Accidents' During Outdoor Activities in Family Month May

Increase in Family Outdoor Activities Leads to Rise in Everyday Child Safety Accidents

Children are receiving safety education using a mobile safety experience vehicle.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dong-guk Lee] Gyeongbuk Province has urged special caution to prevent everyday safety accidents such as traffic accidents, falls, and slips as outdoor activities with families increase in May, the month of family.

According to statistical analysis by the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters, the number of ambulance uses by children and adolescents (ages 0-18) due to illness and safety accidents over the past four years was 7,743 in 2018, 6,815 in 2019, 5,412 in 2020, and 6,258 in 2021.

In particular, the number of transports during the month of May was higher than other months, with 834 cases (10.8%) in 2018, 723 cases (10.6%) in 2019, 530 cases (9.8%) in 2020, and 521 cases (8.4%) in 2021.

Although the number of transports slightly decreased in 2020-2021 due to the impact of COVID-19, it is predicted to increase to the usual level this year as quarantine measures are relaxed.

As of May last year, the causes of transport were 294 cases (56.4%) due to illness and others, and 227 cases (43.6%) due to everyday safety accidents.

Among types of safety accidents, traffic accidents accounted for 83 cases (36.6%), falls and slips 63 cases (27.8%), wounds such as lacerations 47 cases (20.6%), accidental injuries 30 cases (13.3%), and animal-related injuries 4 cases (1.7%).

By location, 251 cases (48%) occurred at home, 104 cases (20%) on roads due to outdoor activities, 55 cases (10.6%) at playground facilities, 78 cases (15%) at educational facilities, and 33 cases (6.4%) in other places.

To prevent safety accidents, it is necessary to ▲install car seats and wear seat belts appropriate for age groups ▲provide continuous traffic safety education ▲drive slowly in residential areas and child protection zones ▲follow safety rules for playground equipment ▲do light warm-up exercises before outdoor activities ▲wear protective gear suitable for playground equipment.

Scene of mobile safety experience education.

The provincial fire headquarters continuously conducts fire safety education centered on local fire stations to prevent safety accidents, and operates year-round visiting experiential education for local schools using the ‘Mobile Safety Experience Vehicle.’

Lee Young-pal, head of the Gyeongbuk Fire Headquarters, said, “May is the time when children and adolescents engage in the most outdoor activities, so the risk of accidents is equally high,” and added, “Safety accidents at playground facilities used by many people can cause serious injuries, so careful attention is required,” urging compliance with safety rules.

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