'78% of Fire Victims in Aging Apartment Complexes Are Children'... Gyeonggi Fire Department Implements Comprehensive Fire Safety Measures

The Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters is conducting comprehensive fire safety inspections, practical evacuation drills, and safety education for children at aging apartment complexes in the province.

This initiative comes in response to a series of recent fires in aging apartment buildings in Busan, which have resulted in casualties. The incidents have highlighted the urgent need for institutional improvements to neglected residential environments.

First, by the end of July, the headquarters will designate high-risk complexes in the province and conduct joint fire drills. These drills will focus on practical scenarios, including checking evacuation routes for each household, practicing door opening, and simulating the securing of the golden time for rescue. The training will also cover the use of existing fire facilities such as indoor fire hydrants and connected water supply pipes.

In addition, all apartment complexes over 20 years old that lack sprinkler systems will undergo a comprehensive inspection. Through joint inspections by both public and private sectors, the maintenance and management of fire safety facilities will be checked. Safety guidance will be provided concurrently during this process.

Fire safety education for children will also be expanded. The headquarters will conduct intensive education before the summer vacation for 678 elementary schools (1,396 classes) located near aging apartment complexes.

Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters is conducting fire evacuation drills for aging apartment complexes. Photo by Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters

Even during the vacation period, the effectiveness of education will be enhanced through various approaches, including visits by private instructors, safety experience vehicles, and play-based training methods. In addition, early evacuation education will be conducted in cooperation with local care centers and childcare facilities.

Alongside these efforts, a range of promotional activities will also be carried out, including the priority distribution of residential fire safety equipment to aging apartments where children reside, fire prevention guideline broadcasts twice a week, and the production of posters, videos, and card news in response to the surge in electricity use during the summer.

Kim Jaebyung, head of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, emphasized, "Aging apartment complexes, which are most vulnerable to fire, must be our top priority for protection. In particular, the safety of the children living there is a non-negotiable standard, and we will do our utmost to prevent further tragedies."

Meanwhile, according to the National Fire Agency, of the 3,472 casualties from residential facility fires over the past three years, 48.8% (1,693 people) occurred in apartment complexes, and among these, an overwhelming 78.8% were children aged 13 or younger.