168 fires in Busan during the Chuseok holiday period over the past five years... "Beware of bee sting incidents as well"

[Financial News] Small and large fires have continued to occur during the Chuseok holiday period over the past five years, prompting calls for extra caution. In particular, bee sting incidents in Busan have risen sharply this year compared with the same period last year. An expert advises people to minimize exposed skin while clearing grass at ancestral graves.
According to the Busan Fire Department on the 23rd, a total of 168 fires occurred in Busan during the Chuseok holiday period over the past five years. Twelve people were injured and one person died. Property damage amounted to 536.99 million won.
Fire authorities also respond frequently during the Chuseok holiday period. Over the past three years, there have been an average of 595 ambulance dispatches and 308 transported patients per day during the holiday period. These figures represent increases of 13.3% and 8.5%, respectively, compared with normal days.
Inquiries related to emergency medical care also surge during the holiday. On Chuseok last year alone, 1,877 inquiries were received, a 203% increase over the annual daily average of 620. Most concerned information about hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, as well as medical consultations.
Accordingly, fire authorities will increase staffing for about three hours starting at 8 a.m. this Chuseok holiday period, when inquiries are concentrated. The number of call-taking desks for reports and consultations will be expanded from the current 21 to as many as 26. In addition, 12 fire stations and 77 ambulance units in Busan will maintain a special response system during the period.
Visitors to ancestral graves should beware of bee stings. According to fire authorities, 148 bee sting incidents occurred in Busan this year through the 13th. That is a sharp 62.7% increase from the 91 incidents recorded during the same period last year.
The incidents were concentrated between July and September. Because bees are most active during this period, 123 incidents, or 83.1% of all responses, occurred between July and September. On the 13th, for example, two people, including a man in his 50s, were stung while clearing grass on a mountain in Saha-gu; one of them experienced breathing difficulties. On the 9th, eight residents were stung by hornets at an elementary school in Seo-gu. On the 4th, two people in their 70s were injured after being stung by hornets on Sujeongsan Mountain in Dong-gu, Busan.
To prevent bee sting incidents, people should avoid wearing dark-colored clothing. The fire department advises people to cover exposed skin with long clothing and, if stung, immediately call the 119 emergency number and receive first aid.
Snake bites also require caution. Firefighters have been dispatched to capture snakes 206 times this year through the 13th. After 31 dispatches in July and 35 in August, they responded 28 times this month, continuing the upward trend. To prevent snake bites, people should wear long pants and shoes that cover the ankles. If bitten, they must not try to suck out the venom with their mouths. They should immediately call the 119 emergency number.
Given the nature of the holiday, the risk of brush-cutter accidents is also high. A brush-cutter blade can cut a person's arms or legs, while stones or pieces of wood thrown up during work can injure the eyes. A fire department official said, "People must wear protective equipment and maintain a sufficient safety distance from those nearby," adding, "Whenever possible, at least two people should work together so they can respond quickly if an accident occurs."
[email protected] Baek Chang-hoon Reporter