Daejeon, South Korea – The Daejeon Fire Department has announced a concentrated effort to prevent fires during the spring season, spanning from March to May. This initiative comes in response to data indicating a disproportionately high number of fires occurring during this time of year.
Over the past five years, Daejeon has experienced a total of 4,467 fires, resulting in approximately 234 billion won in property damage. Of these, 1,239 fires occurred during the spring months, representing more than a quarter of the overall total. Notably, spring fires accounted for 188.2 billion won (80.4%) of the total property damage, with 79 casualties (13 deaths, 66 injuries).
The most frequent locations for these fires were buildings and structures (749 incidents, 57.4%), followed by outdoor areas (339 incidents, 27.4%). Within building fires, residential properties (both detached and multi-family homes) accounted for the highest percentage, at 30%.
The leading cause of these fires was carelessness, responsible for 691 incidents (55.8%), followed by electrical factors (257 incidents, 20.7%) and unknown causes (149 incidents, 12.0%).
In response to these statistics, the Daejeon Fire Department is implementing a range of safety measures:
Enhanced Construction Site Fire Prevention:On-site administrative guidance to ensure clear emergency vehicle access.
Mandatory placement of fire watchers during welding and cutting operations.
Fire safety education for construction site personnel.
Safety consultations focusing on securing evacuation routes.
Vulnerable Residential Area Initiatives:Fire safety inspections and evacuation plan campaigns for aging apartments, detached houses, and densely populated residential areas.
Dissemination of "Observe and Evacuate in Case of Fire" safety messages through resident announcements.
Fire safety training for building management personnel.
High-Risk Facility Training:Fire drills and evacuation guidance for vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals, as well as public spaces like saunas and bathhouses, to enhance initial response capabilities.
"As dry conditions persist in the spring, the risk of large-scale fires and wildfires increases significantly," stated Kang Dae-hoon, head of the Daejeon Fire Department. "We urge citizens to exercise extreme caution, including avoiding careless disposal of cigarette butts, unattended cooking, and burning of waste in areas near forests."
The Daejeon Fire Department's proactive measures aim to minimize fire hazards and protect the lives and property of its residents during the vulnerable spring season.
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