"What to Do If Stung by Bees While Beolcho?"... How to Handle Emergency Situations During Chuseok

In Case of Emergency During Holidays, Call 119 Immediately
Know How to Respond Quickly for Prompt Action
If Choking on Tteok, Use the Heimlich Maneuver
After Bee Stings or Snake Bites, Provide First Aid and Visit Hospital
For Burns, Cool the Burned Area with Running Water

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Safety accidents frequently occur during the Chuseok holiday. In case of an emergency, it is best to immediately call 119 or find a medical institution open during the holiday to respond appropriately.

During the Chuseok holiday, 513 emergency rooms nationwide operate 24 hours a day. Information on medical institutions, pharmacies, and screening clinics open during the Chuseok holiday can be obtained through 129 (Health and Welfare Call Center), 119 (Emergency Situation Management Center), and 120 (City/Province Call Center). It can also be checked on the Emergency Medical Portal, the Ministry of Health and Welfare website, and emergency medical information apps. On major portals, searching for 'holiday hospital' brings up 'Emergency Medical Portal E-Gen' at the top, allowing you to check medical institutions.

However, in case of an emergency that requires prompt action, knowing how to respond in advance can help you handle the situation effectively. During holidays, it is common to experience indigestion or stomach upset from eating hastily. Accidents where rice cakes get stuck in the throat and block the airway are also frequent. In such cases, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed by wrapping the patient from behind and pushing the abdomen upward.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver, first wrap your arms around the patient from behind, making one hand into a fist and covering it with the other hand. Then place the fist between the patient's sternum and navel and push upward as if pulling. Repeat this process until the food is expelled. If the patient loses consciousness, immediately switch to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The method differs for infants under 1 year old. First, place the baby face down on your thigh with the head lower than the chest, and firmly tap the center of the baby's back with your palm. Then turn the baby over so the head is lower than the chest, and use two fingers to press about 4 cm deep just below both nipples quickly and strongly. Repeat this process until the food is expelled, just like with adults.

▲If food is stuck in the airway, the Heimlich maneuver is performed differently for adults and children. [Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare]

Bee stings are also a recurring accident every holiday. They mainly occur on the way to ancestral graves, and there have been unfortunate cases of death due to anaphylaxis (hypersensitivity shock) caused by bee stings. When visiting ancestral graves, wearing long sleeves and long pants helps prevent bee sting accidents. It is better not to wear brightly colored clothes as they can attract bees. Using strongly scented lotions or perfumes is also prohibited.

If stung by a bee, do not forcibly remove the stinger; instead, reduce swelling with ice packs and clean the sting area thoroughly to prevent secondary infection. If symptoms such as swelling of blood vessels or difficulty breathing occur, immediately visit a hospital.

Snakes are also unwelcome guests threatening safety on the way to ancestral graves. If bitten by a snake, it is important to minimize movement of the bitten area. Muscle contractions caused by movement cause the venom to spread rapidly throughout the body via the lymphatic system. If bitten by a snake, use a hard object like a branch as a splint and tightly compress the area around the bite with a rubber band or clothing. Quickly move to a hospital before the venom spreads.

If you suffer burns while preparing holiday food, proper initial emergency treatment is essential. This helps minimize secondary bacterial infections and potential scarring. First, cool the burn area under running water until the burning sensation subsides. This not only relieves pain but also removes heat to prevent the burn area from expanding. Ice packs are prohibited as they can worsen the wound.

After cooling the burn area, it is recommended to perform emergency treatment using a burn-specific moist dressing. Burn ointments or creams can also be used. If blisters form due to the burn, do not pop or touch them. In case of severe burns, visit a hospital immediately after emergency treatment to receive professional care.