The Daegu Fire and Safety Headquarters announced Wednesday that it will run its "2026 Chuseok Holiday Fire Prevention Campaign" through Sept. 27 to help residents enjoy a safe and comfortable holiday.
The headquarters will pursue fire prevention measures across several areas, focusing on eliminating fire hazards in advance, creating a safer environment and strengthening public safety outreach.
Unannounced joint fire safety inspections will be conducted at facilities where a blaze could cause mass casualties, including department stores, large retail outlets, logistics warehouses, facilities for the elderly and children, lodging establishments and movie theaters.
At traditional markets, joint inspections by relevant agencies will be carried out alongside voluntary safety checks led by merchants' associations. Inspectors will verify the condition of electrical and gas installations and check for open-flame use before closing time, while late-night fire prevention patrols will be stepped up to remove hazards early.
Production facilities for holiday foods — including hangwa (traditional Korean confections), gangjeong (puffed rice snacks), yakgwa (honey cookies) and bugak (vegetable chips) — will face focused inspections of fire-prone equipment such as deep fryers and oil-heating machines. Guidance will also be provided on managing electrical and gas systems safely and on keeping Class K fire extinguishers, designed for cooking-oil fires, on hand.
Safety management will also be tightened at apartment complexes and vulnerable residential facilities. Authorities plan to promote fire prevention habits — such as checking electrical and gas systems before extended absences and avoiding charging personal mobility device batteries — and will conduct on-site safety inspections at fire-prone housing, including older homes, semi-basement units and single-room lodging clusters.
The headquarters also plans to broadcast "Chuseok fire safety guidelines" and evacuation procedures for apartment fires through a wide range of channels, including electronic billboards, public transit, elevator monitors, broadcast and radio media, and SNS.
"During the holidays, please make sure to check your electrical and gas systems before going out and follow basic fire prevention rules, such as keeping emergency exits and evacuation routes clear of clutter," said Kim Geun-sik, head of the fire prevention and safety division at the Daegu Fire and Safety Headquarters.
Meanwhile, a total of 46 fires broke out in Daegu during Chuseok holiday periods over the past five years (2021–2025), resulting in four casualties and approximately 120 million won ($87,600) in property damage.
By cause, electrical factors accounted for the largest share at 41.3 percent, while residential facilities were the most common location, also at 41.3 percent.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
