Daejeon Fire Department Implements Fire Prevention Measures for Lunar New Year

Removal of Fire Hazards in Multipurpose Facilities Such as Cinemas, Safety Inspection of Traditional Markets

The scene of a warehouse fire that occurred in Noeun-dong, Yuseong-gu in February this year / Photo by Daejeon Fire Department

The Daejeon Fire Department announced that it has designated the period from the 26th to January 27th next year as the fire prevention period in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday, during which it will work to eliminate fire hazards and conduct prevention and publicity activities.

During this period, Daejeon Fire Department will intensively inspect multi-use facilities such as movie theaters and saunas for violations such as blocked emergency exits, obstructed pathways, and the shutdown of fire equipment power supplies or valves. Strict measures will be taken against any violations, and corrective actions will be completed before the holiday.

To prevent fires in traditional markets, autonomous safety inspections will be strengthened by operating safety days led by merchant associations and shop owners' voluntary fire brigades.

For nursing homes and long-term care hospitals, where large-scale casualties are a concern in the event of a fire, the department will support education and training for organizing and operating self-defense fire brigades and ensuring familiarity with their duties. In preparation for apartment fires, evacuation training will also be provided to building managers and fire safety officers.

According to the fire department, over the past five years (2020?2024), there have been a total of 57 fires during the Lunar New Year holiday, resulting in four casualties and approximately 788 million won in property damage.

The most common time for fires was in the afternoon (29.8%), followed by early morning (26.3%) and morning (22.8%). By location, residential facilities accounted for the most fires (35.1%), followed by other locations (31.6%) and life service facilities (10.5%).

The leading causes of fires were carelessness (63.2%), electrical causes (14%), and unknown causes (14%), with the majority of careless fires caused by cigarette butts.