Water Safety Pictograms introduced for the first time in Korea
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Busan City Fire Department is the first fire department in Korea to develop ‘119 water safety pictograms’ to inform people of various water-related dangers and warnings.
A pictogram, combining the words “Picture” and “Telegram”, is an ideogram that conveys its meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object. The plan is for pictograms developed by Busan City Fire Department to be used to help prevent water-related accidents not only in Busan but also all over the country. National Emergency Management Agency
The water safety pictograms have been developed by rescue workers of Nambu Fire Station, on the basis of their seven years of water rescue experience on beaches in Busan since 2004.
A total of 26 water safety pictograms - prohibition signs (6), information signs (4), caution and warning signs (11), and display signs (5) - were created.
Prohibition signs consist of a red circle with a red slash crossing a black pictogram on a white background. Activities shown in this type of sign are prohibited.
Information signs consist of a white pictogram on a blue square background. This type of sign displays general information.
11 caution and warning signs consist of a white pictogram on an orange square background.
From top left, the signs describe ‘Beware of the sudden drop-off’, ‘Beware of the deep water’, ‘Beware of high waves’, ‘Beware of stingers’, ‘Beware of strong currents’, ‘Beware of offshore currents’, ‘Beware of tsunamis’, and ‘Beware of sharks’.
Water safety pictograms are universally understood pictures, but the meaning of each of the prohibition and information signs is also written in English for foreigners.
The head of the fire department said, “The 119 water safety pictograms have been created by rescue workers with hands-on experience and knowhow, and are the first of this kind in Korea. We will strive to optimize the impact of the water safety pictograms to help save the precious lives of people around water in Korea.”
For more information, please contact the Fire Department at 051)760-6801
