The Korean National Fire Agency (NFA) has highlighted the heightened risk of food choking incidents, particularly involving rice cakes and other traditional foods, during the Lunar New Year holiday. This policy initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage preventive measures to reduce emergency cases. Recent statistics show a consistent pattern of choking emergencies during this period, prompting the NFA to call for increased vigilance. The agency underscores the importance of learning emergency response techniques, such as the Heimlich maneuver, to ensure timely intervention.
The policy primarily impacts seniors aged 60 and above, who represent 83.5% of all food choking cases over the past five years. During the last five Lunar New Year holidays, 96.7% of those transported to hospitals for choking incidents were seniors. The NFA’s data reveals that, on average, 239 people are hospitalized annually due to food-related airway blockages, with 455 cases resulting in cardiac arrest. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted safety measures for the elderly population.
From 2021 to 2025, there were 1,487 emergency dispatches for food choking, resulting in 1,196 hospitalizations. During the Lunar New Year holiday alone, an average of 1.3 people per day required emergency transport for choking, with 31 cases recorded over five years. The NFA is actively promoting the Heimlich maneuver and other first aid techniques, urging families to be especially attentive when seniors are eating. The agency also recommends not rushing meals and avoiding overeating during festive gatherings.
Frequently asked questions include what immediate actions should be taken if someone is choking and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver. The NFA advises that if a person shows signs of airway blockage and breathing difficulty, emergency first aid should be administered without delay. Another common question is why seniors are more vulnerable; the answer is that age-related factors make swallowing more difficult, increasing the risk of choking. The NFA stresses that family members should supervise elderly relatives during meals, especially when consuming sticky foods like rice cakes.
Metaqsol opinion: The Korean National Fire Agency’s targeted approach to preventing food choking incidents among seniors during the Lunar New Year is supported by clear statistical evidence. By focusing on public education, emergency preparedness, and family involvement, the policy effectively addresses a recurring seasonal risk. The emphasis on the Heimlich maneuver and careful supervision of elderly individuals during meals is both practical and necessary. This initiative highlights the value of data-driven, population-specific safety measures during high-risk periods.