Jeju Fire Headquarters Issues Heat-Related Illness Safety Alert on the 13th

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Go Min-ja) issued a "Summer Heat-Related Illness Safety Accident Warning" on the 13th to minimize damage from heat-related illnesses due to the heatwave ahead of the summer season.

Summer Heat-Related Illness Safety Accident Prevention Card News.
[Photo by Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters]

According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 11th, an average of 73.4 heat-related illness cases (a total of 367 cases) occurred annually in the Jeju area over the past five years.

In particular, last year, Jeju recorded the highest nationwide rate with 14.5 cases of heat-related illnesses per 100,000 people.

By type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for the largest portion at 51.5% (189 cases), followed by heat cramps at 26.7% (98 cases), heat stroke at 9.8% (36 cases), and heat syncope at 9.0% (33 cases).

Accident locations were mostly outdoors, with workplaces accounting for 36.8% (135 cases), rice fields and farms 20.7% (76 cases), and roadsides 8.4% (31 cases). By occupation, agricultural and fishery workers accounted for 25.3% (93 cases), and by age group, those in their 50s accounted for the highest number of cases at 27.8% (102 cases).

Heat-related illness safety accidents occurred 59.7% (219 cases) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and males (79.0%, 290 cases) were more than three times as many as females (21.0%, 77 cases).

The Fire Safety Headquarters has equipped 32 119 ambulance teams across the province with heatwave equipment since the 20th of last month and organized a standby team of 28 pump ambulances to minimize response gaps by quickly responding when ambulance vehicles are unavailable.

They are also establishing a multifaceted response system by strengthening emergency medical consultation and treatment guidance.

Chief Go Min-ja of the Fire Safety Headquarters said, "During heatwave warnings, it is important to refrain from outdoor activities, drink water frequently, and stay cool." She added, "Especially given Jeju’s characteristics with a high proportion of primary industry, when unavoidable outdoor work occurs, please strictly follow prevention rules such as monitoring health conditions and adjusting activity intensity."

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr