[On the Way Home] "Please Check if the Gas is Properly Turned Off" Fire Warning for Lunar New Year Holiday

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] During the Lunar New Year holiday period, fire accidents frequently occur as people leave their homes for extended periods. Additionally, the increased use of fire for food preparation raises the risk of fire outbreaks.

According to the National Fire Agency, from 2015 to 2019, there were a total of 663 residential fires during the Lunar New Year holidays, resulting in 13 deaths and 40 injuries.

The leading cause of fires was negligence, such as cooking or leaving fire unattended, accounting for 395 cases (60%), followed by electrical causes with 118 cases (18%), and mechanical causes such as overheating with 56 cases (8%). Among fires caused by negligence, those that started during cooking were the most common at 110 cases (28%).

To prevent fires during cooking, it is important to keep the kitchen environment well organized. Do not place flammable materials such as cloth, paper, cooking oil, or rubber gloves near open flames like gas stoves, and remove any burnt oil residues nearby.

In case of a gas leak, immediately turn off the cock and valve, open windows to ventilate, and sweep the air away using a broom or fan. Be especially cautious not to operate electrical devices such as exhaust fans, as sparks may ignite a fire. If a fire breaks out during cooking, use a fire extinguisher available at home to put out the fire or quickly evacuate to a safe place and call 119.

A National Fire Agency official stated, "During the Lunar New Year holiday, information about on-duty hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies will be provided on the Fire Disaster Headquarters and Fire Station websites, the situation rooms of 24 fire stations, and the Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center situation room." He added, "Before leaving for your hometown, be sure to unplug electric heating devices and carefully check that there is no food cooking on the gas stove."