'Long Chuseok Holiday' Gwangju Fire Department Warns of Fire Risks...Urges Adherence to Safety Guidelines

Gwangju Fire Department 119 Integrated Control Room.

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The Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters has urged citizens to exercise special caution, as the number of fires caused by carelessness tends to increase during the Chuseok holiday period.

According to the Gwangju Fire Safety Headquarters on September 25, a total of 46 fires occurred in Gwangju during the Chuseok holidays over the past five years (2020-2024), resulting in one fatality, two injuries, and property damage amounting to 385 million won. This translates to a daily average of 1.8 fires and 15 million won in property damage in Gwangju alone.

Nationwide during the same period, there were 2,026 fires, with 10 deaths and 98 injuries reported, and property damage estimated at approximately 19.946 billion won.

In Gwangju, the most common locations for fires were residential facilities (such as apartments), accounting for 19 cases (41.3%), which is more than 10% higher than the usual rate. The leading cause of fires was carelessness, responsible for 21 cases (45.6%).

The main causes were identified as fires involving electrical appliances during holiday food preparation or when leaving home for extended periods. During the holiday, the use of open flames increases while preparing food, and the risk of fire rises significantly during cooking processes that involve oil.

The Gwangju Fire Department advised residents not to place flammable items near areas where oil is being used for cooking and to keep a fire extinguisher in a visible and easily accessible location at home for immediate use.

They also emphasized that kitchen electrical appliances should be plugged in individually, and that unused electrical appliances should be unplugged when leaving home for long periods, urging everyone to strictly follow these safety guidelines.

Kim Heecheol, head of the 119 Response Division, stated, "This year's Chuseok holiday is the longest in recent years, lasting up to 10 days, which increases the risk of fire. I hope all citizens will observe safety precautions and have a safe Chuseok holiday."

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