Photo of outdoor air conditioner unit fire in an apartment complex. /Courtesy of Gyeonggi Province

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged people to follow safety rules, noting that fires caused by air conditioners and fans often occur during the summer.

According to the ministry on the 12th, in the past five years, fires caused by air conditioners and fans increased by 1.8 times and 1.4 times, respectively. The number of fire incidents gradually increases from June, when summer begins, peaking in August when the heat is most intense. The causes of the fires were primarily ▲ electrical factors such as poor electrical contacts ▲ mechanical factors such as motor overheating ▲ carelessness during use or installation.

Status of air conditioner and fan fires over the last 5 years. /Courtesy of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

To prevent this, the ministry advised checking the air conditioner’s power cord for any damage and recommended using high-capacity outlets as they can overheat due to high power consumption. They also stated that dust should be removed from the outdoor unit, and if unusual noises are heard, the device should be turned off immediately and checked.

They advised ensuring that the fan’s power cord is not pinched by heavy objects or bent, and to prevent the power cord from being stretched. It was also said that dust accumulation inside the fan should be cleaned, and clothing or towels should not be placed on it while in operation. Because the risk of overheating increases with prolonged use, they recommended using the timer function to periodically cool the device and advised turning off the power when leaving the room.