"When Leaving Home, Unplug All Cords Except the Refrigerator"… Firefighter's Advice

Firefighter Leaves Message to Prevent Chuseok Safety Accidents
"Be Sure to Turn Off Bathroom Vent Fans," Urges
"Relatives Sometimes Fight... On a Good Day, Only Good Words"

On the 13th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway viewed from Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are congested due to a mix of holiday travelers and commuters. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

A firefighter left advice to prevent safety accidents for the public ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

The author, Mr. A, who identified himself as an active firefighter, posted on his X (formerly Twitter) on the 12th, saying, "It would be good to check before going to celebrate the holiday." He first said, "Before leaving the house for a long time, be sure to check the gas, appliance cords, etc. to prevent fires," adding, "Gas flames are emphasized so much that everyone usually turns them off properly, but when a fire actually breaks out in an empty house, the initial ignition point is often the kitchen. Still, you need to check."

Mr. A continued, "Be sure to turn off the bathroom ventilation fan. I've often seen fires caused by leaving it on for days to remove moisture," and urged, "All devices with motors running should be turned off." He also advised, "Before leaving, touch your head and unplug the hairdryer cord. The same goes for all heating appliances," recommending, "I suggest unplugging all cords except for the refrigerator before leaving. Especially, do not leave portable chargers plugged in. This applies to all products with built-in batteries."

He also spoke about accidents that occur while preparing holiday food or during ancestral rites and grass cutting. Mr. A said, "Most fires while cooking are caused by cooking oil catching fire. In such cases, spraying water will burn down the entire kitchen," adding, "If the fire grows too large, you should use a fire extinguisher. I recommend a 'Class K' extinguisher for the kitchen." Furthermore, he explained, "There are many reports of bee stings during grass cutting. It's best to have proper safety equipment, but if that's difficult, please clearly identify the address so that an ambulance can easily access the site," and advised, "If it seems like it will take a long time, just go to the hospital by car. Anaphylaxis is a race against time." Additionally, he said, "Highway rest areas get crowded, and children sometimes get lost. Parents should watch their children carefully during breaks," and did not forget to add, "There are frequent cases of relatives fighting fiercely and calling ambulances. On good days, let's only say good words."

Netizens who read the advice responded with comments such as, "I’ve been leaving the ventilation fan on without thinking, but I will definitely turn it off," "I hope everyone has a safe holiday by preparing in advance," and "Always grateful to the firefighters who work hard."