Today, a briefing was held at the Regional Communications Service of Shymkent on the results of safety measures during the heating season. The meeting was attended by the acting head of the State Fire Control Department of the Shymkent Department of Emergency Situations, civil defense major Ordabek Rauan Nurlybekovich, and the deputy head of the city's Environmental Quality and Control Department Abdinurov Malik Kuttymbetovich.

As it became known during the briefing, large-scale preventive measures were carried out in Shymkent during the 2025–2026 heating season to prevent fires and toxic gas poisoning. 62,589 residential buildings were visited in the city, and 148,385 residents were explained the requirements for fire safety and gas safety. Of these, 1,073 families from socially vulnerable categories were covered.

Together with the district akimats, a detailed list of socially vulnerable groups was developed and targeted work was carried out with them. As a result, 123 gas detection devices were installed and the chimneys of 55 residential buildings were cleaned.

Special attention was also paid to informing the population. 293 materials were published in the media, and 370 propaganda campaigns were carried out in microdistricts through loudspeakers. In addition, 130 information materials were distributed on social networks. 103 interactive and open lessons were held in educational institutions, involving 4,980 students, and 37 excursions were organized in fire departments, involving 819 students. 190 meetings and 84 instructions were held throughout the city, involving 6,232 residents. Also, on December 2, 2025, a performance on the theme "Fire Safety" was shown at the Shymkent City Puppet and Youth Theater, in which about 200 children participated. 12 educational videos, filmed to increase safety culture, were distributed through parent chats on WhatsApp.

The measures taken have yielded results. The number of fires has decreased by 39 percent compared to last year, from 81 to 49 cases. The number of deaths due to fires has been halved, and the number of injuries has been halved.

However, the increase in cases of natural and toxic gas poisoning during the heating season is of concern. Since October 1, 2025, the "112" service has received 99 reports of gas poisoning. This is 18 percent more than last year. The number of deaths from gas poisoning has tripled, and the number of people with mild poisoning has increased by 28 percent.

According to experts, the main causes of such situations are malfunctions of gas water heaters and boilers, improper installation, lack of draft, and untimely maintenance of gas equipment.

In this regard, systematic work is continuing to strengthen gas safety in the city. The Shymkent City Gas Technical Service, a municipal state institution under the Department of Urban Environmental Quality and Control, has identified dangerous areas and designated "red zones" and "risk zones". The red zone includes "Samal-3", "Akzhaiyk", "Nursat", "Kunshygys", "Kaytpas", "8 microdistricts", while the risk zones include "Samal-1, 2", "11 microdistricts", "Sairam", "17 microdistricts", "Koksai", "Kyzylzhar", "112 district", "5 microdistricts", "Karasu". Special control is imposed on compliance with gas safety requirements in these areas.

In 2025, preventive measures were carried out in 231,014 residential buildings across the city, including 105,533 multi-storey and 125,481 individual residential buildings, as well as 3,185 business facilities. As a result, 231,000 gas safety brochures were distributed. In 2026, explanatory work was carried out in 39,372 residential buildings and 159 business facilities, and 32,000 brochures were distributed.

In addition, administrative measures are being taken against citizens who violate the safety requirements for gas consumption and the use of gas equipment. In 2025, 117 people were brought to administrative responsibility under Article 306 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and 19 people under Article 305, with a total fine of more than 2 million tenge. And in 2026, 36 people were brought to administrative responsibility under these articles.

Experts urge residents to strictly follow safety requirements when using gas and heating equipment, and to promptly notify the relevant services if any malfunctions are detected.