Western Cape Disaster Management has started readying the province’s emergency fire response strategies as the winter season approaches.

Every year, in the colder months, domestic fires in townships and informal settlements see a spike, leading to the loss of lives and destruction of thousands of homes.

Chief Director of Disaster Management, Colin Deiner says awareness programmes are rolled out on a continuous basis to educate residents on how to reduce the fire risk in their households.

Diener says more than 12,000 smoke detectors had also been installed in informal homes.

Get the latest updates from the Western Cape Government here and here.

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Those most at risk of having severe outcomes, when contracting the annual flu, are urged to also get their yearly flu vaccination.

According to the World Health Organization, people with underlying health conditions and the elderly, have more severe manifestations of influenza.

The WHO’s Director for Infectious Diseases Management, Dr. Sylvie Briand says getting the flu vaccination can help give patients better protection in the winter season.

Briand says the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

Watch Briand’s full briefing here.

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