Is My Cat the Cause of Lunar New Year Fires at Home? ...Beware of Induction Stoves

National Fire Agency Analyzes Fire Incidents During Lunar New Year Holidays
Risk of Pets Accidentally Turning On Induction Stoves

During the Lunar New Year holidays, when many people are away from home for extended periods, extra caution is needed to prevent fires. In particular, when leaving pets such as cats alone at home, the power to electrical appliances should be cut off.

On February 15, the National Fire Agency announced that an analysis of fire incidents during the Lunar New Year holidays over the past five years (2021-2025) showed an average of 117 fires per day. Fires that occurred in residential facilities accounted for 31.1% of all incidents, meaning that 1 out of every 3 fires during the holidays broke out at home.

The main cause of fires was "carelessness." Among these, fires most frequently occurred due to leaving embers, ignition sources, or open flames unattended.

A cat stepping on the power switch of an induction cooktop could lead to a fire. Daejeon Northern Fire Station

The National Fire Agency advised people not to use grill pans that are too large in area when pan-frying holiday foods, and not to leave the cooking area while food is being prepared. It also stressed that when leaving the kitchen, the gas valve must be shut off, and that butane gas canisters should not be placed near open flames while cooking.

If a fire breaks out while cooking with cooking oil, it must be extinguished with a fire extinguisher, not water. In the event of a fire, people should report it immediately and evacuate using the stairs instead of the elevator.

When going out and leaving pets at home, the power to electrical appliances must be completely cut off. This is because a cat stepping on the touch-sensitive pad of an induction stove can turn the power on. When the induction stove is not in use, the main power should be switched off, or a safety cover should be placed over the induction stove.

There have in fact been cases where fires were caused by cats. In May last year, in a villa in Incheon, a cat activated the power to an induction stove and, while passing by, caused a kitchen towel to catch fire, resulting in burns to a resident in his 50s. In December 2024, in an officetel in Busan, a cat also turned on an induction stove, which led to a fire.

According to statistics from the National Fire Agency, there were 387 fires caused by pets in Korea between 2020 and 2022, and the resulting property damage was calculated at between 790 million won and 1.4 billion won.