The Gwangju Seobu Fire Station announced on the 11th that caution is needed as fires caused by personal mobility devices such as electric bicycles and electric kickboards are increasing.
At around 9:50 a.m. on the 3rd, in Asan-si, Chungnam, the battery of an electric kickboard that was charging exploded and caught fire, and two foreign students in their 20s who tried to extinguish the fire suffered first- and second-degree burns on their hands and feet.
As more people use personal mobility devices such as electric bicycles and electric kickboards, related fires have significantly increased.
With the increase in the use of mobility devices nationwide, related fires have also risen sharply. According to the National Fire Agency's statistics, fires caused by electric kickboards, electric bicycles, and other devices nationwide have increased every year: 5 cases in 2018 → 10 cases in 2019 → 39 cases in 2020 → 39 cases in 2021 → 115 cases in 2022. In terms of casualties, last year alone, one person died and 11 were injured.
Accordingly, the Gwangju Seobu Fire Station emphasized safety rules such as ▲ using certified products equipped with safety devices ▲ not leaving the device unattended or charging it during sleep ▲ checking for flammable materials nearby and charging in a safe place ▲ not charging near the front door or emergency exits ▲ unplugging the cord once charging is complete ▲ storing in a moisture-free place and not using it in rainy weather.
A fire official said, "Battery fires of kickboards have been occurring steadily recently, so it is necessary for users to follow safety rules," adding, "Since minor carelessness can lead to fires, attention to the safe use and management of electric kickboards is required."
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