Seoul warns of fire risk as air conditioner use surges in summer heat

Seoul's fire and disaster headquarters has urged residents to take precautions against electrically caused fires, warning that such incidents spike during summer as use of air conditioners and other cooling appliances surges amid intense heat.

Over the past five years (2021–2025), Seoul recorded a total of 27,547 fires, the headquarters said Saturday. The blazes left 1,714 people dead or injured, including 164 fatalities.

By month, December saw the most fires with 2,585, followed by January with 2,506, July with 2,447 and March with 2,414.

Electrically caused fires, however, were most concentrated in summer. Of the 7,486 electrical fires recorded in Seoul over the period, July accounted for the most at 1,020, followed by August with 899. January (739) and December (715) ranked third and fourth.

Among electrical fires, 219 were linked to cooling appliances such as fans and air conditioners. Short circuits caused by poor contact accounted for 91 cases, followed by unidentified short circuits at 45 and degraded wiring insulation at 39.

Fires at residential facilities over the same period totaled 10,838, with July again topping the monthly count at 1,046. August followed with 922 cases, behind December (1,003) and January (993).

The headquarters advised residents to inspect air conditioner power cords for damage or pinching and check outdoor units for dust buildup or abnormalities before turning them on. Air conditioners should be connected to dedicated outlets, and outdoor units should be installed in well-ventilated locations. Ventilation openings in outdoor unit enclosures must be kept open at all times, and any unusual noise should prompt an immediate inspection or repair.

For electric fans, residents should remove dust before use and check for unusual sounds or odors. Fans should not be run with the motor blocked, and use should be stopped if the unit overheats. Power cords should be checked for damage, and fans should be switched off when left unattended.

Fire headquarters chief Hong Yeong-geun said electrical fires tend to increase alongside the surge in cooling appliance use during summer, urging residents to avoid overloading power strips and to clear flammable materials from around outdoor air conditioner units.