"Thirsty People, Come Here"... Haenam County Draws Attention with 'Bottled Water Refrigerator'

All-Out Effort to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses Amid Heat Wave

Haenam County in South Jeolla Province has taken action to protect the health of its residents in response to the ongoing heat wave.

On July 25, the county announced that it would install and operate a "Free Bottled Water Sharing Refrigerator" at Haenam County Citizens' Plaza. The refrigerator will be available every day without holidays until the heat wave advisory is lifted, and any resident can freely take cold bottled water.

This measure aims to encourage residents to "drink plenty of water" to prevent heat-related illnesses during the prolonged heat wave, and to provide a shelter where people can temporarily escape the heat.

Haenam County will operate a 'Free Bottled Water Sharing Refrigerator' until the heatwave warning is lifted. Photo by Haenam County

Since the heat wave warning has continued from July 22, the county has deployed additional water-spraying trucks to mitigate the urban heat island effect. At the same time, it has secured special grants to install eight more shade canopies in addition to the existing 26 locations. In particular, the county is focusing on protecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, agricultural workers, and outdoor laborers. An emergency response system is in operation through on-site inspections and real-time monitoring by each department to prevent any loss of life.

The county is also making welfare calls to 3,115 senior citizens through its customized elderly care service whenever a heat wave advisory is in effect, and visits them in person if they cannot be reached by phone.

Local businesses that support the purpose of the refrigerator operation are also making donations. Kim Jungkeun, CEO of Samik Industry, who is originally from Haenam, donated bottled water worth 1.5 million won, and Kim Haengyun, CEO of Daehan Construction Safety Institute, donated bottled water worth 1 million won, joining the sharing effort.

Haenam County is strengthening its heat wave response publicity through various means such as village broadcasts, disaster text messages, and on-site visits. It is also asking residents to take only one bottle per person when using the refrigerator.

County Governor Myung Hyunkwan said, "I hope the water-sharing refrigerator will help protect the health of our residents, and I ask everyone to take only one bottle each so that as many people as possible can benefit."