"Fire Safety Even in Winter"... Today is 'Buljojoom Jaegangjo Day'

Fire Agency Urges Continued Interest and Participation

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The National Fire Agency announced that following November’s ‘Fire Prevention Emphasis Month,’ it has designated the 19th as ‘Fire Prevention Re-emphasis Day’ and will operate it accordingly.

With increased use of heating devices and more indoor activities during winter, the National Fire Agency is conducting activities under the theme “Safer Together, Spreading a People-Centered Fire Safety Culture” to reduce casualties caused by large-scale fires and promote fire safety culture.

According to data from the National Fire Information System of the National Fire Agency, an average of 11,272 fires occurred annually during the winter months (November to February) over the past five years. In particular, while the average daily number of fires throughout the year is 110, it rises to 125 during the November to February period, indicating 15 more fires per day in winter. Accordingly, the National Fire Agency decided to designate and operate ‘Fire Prevention Re-emphasis Day’ to maintain the public’s continuous interest in fire safety until February, following the ‘Fire Prevention Emphasis Month’ in November.

Fire stations nationwide are making efforts to spread a voluntary safety culture by managing facility safety, including securing evacuation routes for large indoor playgrounds, performance halls, and movie theaters that could lead to large-scale fires; strengthening safety management of multi-use facilities; and enhancing safety guidance at large construction sites such as cold storage and refrigeration warehouses. Additionally, they provide guidance on the use of evacuation facilities in apartment complexes and conduct safety education for fire-vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled to strengthen evacuation and response capabilities.

Meanwhile, the National Fire Agency will also showcase ‘moving posters’ created from the winning entries of the 2022 Fire Safety Poster Contest at the Independence Hall (located in Cheonan, Chungnam) first-floor exhibition hall and 18 fire safety experience centers nationwide, following a business agreement signed in June last year.

Hwang Gi-seok, Director of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the National Fire Agency, stated, “Since fires are concentrated in winter, the public’s attention and caution are necessary,” and added, “We will devote all efforts to fire prevention activities so that everyone can have a safe and happy winter.”