A cold wave (한파, hanpa) is a sudden, sharp drop in temperature during winter. It can cause cold-weather illnesses such as hypothermia and frostbite, and can also lead to practical problems like burst pipes and power outages. Preparing in advance makes a real difference to your safety.

Prepare Before a Cold Wave Arrives

Check Weather Information

Heating Equipment and Clothing

  • Check your boiler and other heating equipment ahead of time.
  • Have thermal underwear and warm winter clothing ready.

Protect Your Water Pipes and Meter

  • Stuff old clothes or rags inside your water meter box and seal the outside with tape so cold air cannot get in.
  • Wrap exposed water pipes outside — such as those in the yard or outdoor bathroom — with insulating material.
  • Also wrap any exposed pipes below the boiler with old clothes or insulation.

Prepare Your Car for Winter

  • Get winter supplies ready in advance: snow chains, calcium chloride (road salt), a shovel, antifreeze, battery, and lubricants.
  • Check your car’s condition regularly, including the battery and antifreeze levels.

Emergency Supplies

CategoryItems to Prepare
Emergency foodBottled water, canned food, instant noodles, and other items you can eat without heating
First-aid suppliesFirst-aid kit with ointments, cold medicine, antacids, and any medication you take regularly
Daily necessitiesA change of clothes, toilet paper, wet wipes, a lighter, and plastic bags
OtherFire extinguisher, radio, flashlight, mobile phone, emergency cash, and emergency contact list
  • Households with infants or toddlers should also prepare baby food and supplies.
  • A good target is to store about 20 litres of drinking water per person.

What to Do When a Cold Wave Hits

Indoors

  • Keep your indoor temperature at 19 to 20°C.
  • If you will be away from home for a long time, leave a tap slightly open so water trickles continuously — this helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • If a pipe does freeze, thaw it slowly with a hair dryer or space heater, or pour lukewarm water over it little by little. Do not pour boiling water suddenly; this can crack or burst the pipe.
  • For water pipe issues: call 120 (Dasan Call Center, for Seoul residents).
  • If a boiler pipe freezes, use the same slow-thawing approach.
  • Prepare a flashlight, radio, and space heater in advance in case of a power outage.
  • If a power outage occurs, report it to your apartment management office or to Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) at 123 (no area code needed).
  • For electrical safety concerns, contact the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation at 1588-7500.

Outdoors

  • Wear a hat, gloves, a mask, and a scarf to keep your body temperature up.
  • Layer your clothing, and be careful to keep it dry.
  • On slippery ground, wear shoes with a wide, thick sole.
  • Try to avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks; they do not help you stay warm.
  • Use public transportation where possible, go out during daylight hours, and avoid travelling alone.
  • Before leaving the house, let a family member know your destination and when you plan to return.

If You Get Frostbite

  1. Remove any tight shoes or clothing from the affected area first.
  2. Soak the frostbitten area in lukewarm water (around 37 to 39°C) for about 30 minutes to thaw it slowly.
  3. Do not rub the area or expose it to direct heat such as a fire or heater. This can cause further tissue damage.
  4. Keep the area warm and go to a hospital right away.

While Driving

  • Drive more slowly than usual and keep a greater distance from the vehicle in front of you.
  • On snow or icy roads:
    • Manual transmission: start in second gear using a half-clutch.
    • Automatic transmission: press the accelerator very slowly and gently.
    • When starting, keep the front wheels pointed straight ahead to prevent wheel spin.
    • Slow down before entering a curve; do not change gears while in the middle of a curve.
  • When stopping on ice, use engine braking to reduce speed sufficiently before applying the foot brake.

If You Are Stranded in Your Car

  1. Call for help immediately: 119 or 112.
  2. If others are with you, share body heat to stay warm together.
  3. Take turns sleeping so that at least one person is awake at all times.
  4. At night, turn on the interior light so rescuers can find you more easily.
  5. Spread brightly coloured clothing on the snow to signal your location.

When Exercising

  • Stretch thoroughly before exercising. A warm-up that gets you slightly sweating is ideal.
  • Exercise indoors where possible. This is especially important if you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure.
  • Reduce your exercise intensity to around 70 to 80% of your usual level. In winter your body uses 10 to 15% more energy just to maintain its temperature.
  • Do not drink alcohol while exercising. Alcohol causes increased urination and sweating, which actually lowers your body temperature.
  • After exercise, take a warm bath and change into dry, warm clothes.

Using Electricity Safely

  • Do not daisy-chain multiple power strips into one outlet — this is called an “octopus connection” in Korean and is a fire hazard.
  • Do not place paper, cloth, or other flammable items near electric heaters.
  • Only use certified, genuine electrical products, and never tamper with wiring yourself.
  • If you notice any electrical problem, report it to KEPCO (123) or the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (1588-7500).

Emergency Contacts

PurposeContact
Fire and emergency rescue119
Crime and accident reporting112
Water pipe issues (Seoul)120 (Dasan Call Center)
Power outage (KEPCO)123 (no area code needed)
Electrical safety (Korea Electrical Safety Corporation)1588-7500
Your local community centre or apartment management officeCheck the number for your area

For accurate contact information and the latest guidance, please verify with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office before taking action.

Heating Bill Support and Warm Rest Shelters

The following programmes can help you through a cold winter. Eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and application periods change every year, and foreign nationals and refugees may have different eligibility requirements, so please check before applying.

  • Energy Voucher (에너지바우처): This programme helps households that meet income criteria and include a member with a qualifying characteristic (elderly, infant or toddler, pregnant woman, or person with a disability) pay for heating and cooling costs. From 2025, the summer and winter vouchers have been merged into one, provided either as a National Happiness Card credit or as a utility bill discount. Applications typically open in May or June. Apply at the 읍/면/동 community welfare centre (주민센터) at your registered address. Foreign nationals and refugees should check eligibility at the [Energy Voucher website](https://www.energyv.or.kr), [Bokjiro welfare portal](https://www.bokjiro.go.kr), or your local community centre.
  • Cold Wave Warm Rest Shelters (한파쉼터): If your home is difficult to heat or you need shelter from the cold while out, you can use designated warm rest shelters free of charge. These are set up in community centres, senior citizen centres, libraries, and similar public facilities. Find locations by searching “한파쉼터” on the National Disaster Safety Portal or by calling 1345.
  • For additional heating bill support, see the Sarang-ON Heating Assistance Programme guide as well.

You can find more winter lifestyle information in the articles below (each is available in multiple languages).