Seoul Fire Department "Icicle Safety Measures, Stay Cautious in the New Year"

1680 Winter Icicle Safety Response Cases Dispatched Over 3 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 3rd the analysis of statistics related to icicle safety measure dispatches during winter over the past three years to provide winter season safety information.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, the total number of icicle safety measure dispatches in winter (December to February) based on 119 emergency calls over the past three years was recorded at 1,680 cases.

The number of dispatches by year was 177 in 2020, 844 in 2021, and 659 in 2022, showing that 2021, when cold wave warnings were frequent in the Seoul area, had the highest number of icicle safety measure dispatches.

During the period, the monthly dispatch counts were 944 in January, 173 in February, and 563 in December, with January accounting for 56.2% of the total dispatches.

In particular, the number of icicle safety measure dispatches in December last year was 353, which increased by 241 cases (215.2%↑) and 255 cases (260.2%↑) compared to December 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Icicles frequently form on roof edges and outdoor pipes during periods when temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing, and their fall poses a high risk of injury or property damage due to the significant impact force. In fact, on December 21 last month, a large icicle fell in a residential area in Yongsan-gu, causing damage to facilities.

A representative from the Fire and Disaster Headquarters stated, “Since the cold weather may continue intermittently, it is essential to check for the presence of icicles on building exteriors,” and added, “Do not attempt to remove large icicles in high places by yourself; please report them to 119.”

Meanwhile, as of the end of December last year, there were a total of 692 safety measures related to cold waves during this winter season. As part of winter safety measures, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters is promoting ▲ safety management and facility inspections for vulnerable groups ▲ activation of situation management systems during weather warnings ▲ emergency transport management for cold-related illness patients.

Choi Taeyoung, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “We ask for your attention to safety management around living environments due to the ongoing cold waves,” and added, “Seoul Fire will do its utmost to ensure citizen safety during winter through prompt dispatch.”