Seongbuk-gu, Comprehensive Measures to Prepare for Heatwave

270 Heat Relief Centers, 132 Shade Shelters, and 11 Water Sharing Refrigerators Operated Across Seongbuk-gu... Two Local Hotels Designated as Safe Accommodations for Nighttime Heatwave Response

Elderly Vulnerable to Heatwaves Designated as Recipients of Elderly Customized Care Services... Life Guidance Workers Provide Heatwave Coping Strategies and Continuous Safety Checks

Real-Time Monitoring via Internet of Things (IoT) Devices... Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro Personally Oversees Elderly-Related Sites and Conducts Safety Lectures as a Top Safety Instructor

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) is implementing comprehensive heatwave countermeasures for the elderly.

Across Seongbuk-gu, 270 heat relief centers are in operation alongside 132 shade shelters. Additionally, water sharing refrigerators have been installed at 11 major walking paths along rivers and parks. Locations of heat relief centers and water sharing refrigerators are posted on the Seongbuk-gu website and the blog ‘Seongbuk Nuri’ to enable residents in need to access them quickly.

Along with this, periodic road sprinkling is conducted to mitigate urban heat island effects and protect residents from heat-related illnesses.

Nighttime heatwaves have also been prepared for. Two hotels located in Seongbuk-gu (Laswiss in Jongam-dong and Rivi?re in Dongseon-dong) have been designated as nighttime heat relief centers (safe accommodations). Eligible users are low-income vulnerable residents aged 65 and older who are at risk of heat cramps, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses. These accommodations can be used when a heatwave advisory is issued, and those wishing to use them can apply at their local community service center.

Support for low-income elderly living alone, a representative heatwave vulnerable group, has been significantly strengthened. These individuals have been designated as recipients of the Elderly Customized Care Service, which provides summer health management, guidance on heat relief centers, and instructions on heatwave response actions. When a heatwave advisory is issued, life support workers check on the safety of the elderly to prevent casualties.

At the same time, non-face-to-face real-time safety checks are conducted through Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Indoor temperature and humidity are monitored, and if necessary, guidance is provided to evacuate to heat relief centers.

Community resource coordination has also been reinforced. All 20 neighborhood community security councils are participating in supporting vulnerable elderly by providing fans and conducting welfare checks. As of July 28, all vulnerable elderly who requested fans have been supported.

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seung-ro has also stepped forward as a top safety instructor for direct safety education. Mayor Lee carefully oversees various sites where elderly participate and emphasizes safety measures against heatwaves. As of July 28, approximately 3,600 elderly individuals have participated in Mayor Lee’s safety lectures.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu stated, “With unprecedented heatwaves expected this year, we are prioritizing the safety of our residents by installing water sharing refrigerators, operating heat relief centers, and implementing various field-oriented projects such as elderly customized care services.” He added, “We will continue to listen directly to needs on the ground and respond proactively to ensure that all residents can have a healthy summer.”