As inclement weather comes and goes across Mississippi, safety is the top priority among residents.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued tips on safety in the winter months. On the list release by the state department of health, issues from carbon monoxide and power outages were covered.

Charles Atkins, Vicksburg’s Fire Chief also provided helpful tips on how residents can remain safe through inclement weather.

While it is common for some households to be heated by leaving the oven door open, Atkins discourages this practice.

“Don’t use your oven as a major heating situation in your house because that can cause problems also,” Atkins said.

Using the oven as a major heating source in the house could lead to carbon monoxide radiating throughout the home.

Atkins also cautioned residents about using of electric cords to plug into inexpensive heaters. Atkins said the cords can wear out and if placed on a carpet it could catch fire.

Generators also shouldn’t be used as a major heating source.

“The generator has to be outside. You can’t start a generator and put it in the house. The same carbon monoxide filters up and makes the person dizzy to the point they want to pass out,” Atkins said.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, red-flushed skin, headaches and fatigue.

“In the city of Vicksburg, we’ll work with the gas department,” said deputy fire chief Craig Danczyk. “If we have a reported gas leak or we come into an environment – it could be a residential home or business – and we have an idea of a gas leak we’ll call them and they have some specialized equipment that can detect leaks.”

The Vicksburg Fire Department announced on its Facebook page it’s giving away free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
“That’s one of the steps we do to be proactive,” Danczyk said. Some people live in homes where they don’t have a working smoke detector or maybe they have gas appliances such as heater or stove and they may be at risk. If your stove is dirty or worn out it could be emitting carbon monoxide.”

Danczyk said the best way to make sure appliances are properly vented to avoid carbon monoxide emission is to have a contractor or qualified official to inspect the house.

In case of power outages, the state provided guidelines for food and safe consumption.

Food will remain edible if the refrigerator and freezer doors are closed tightly.

After power has been out for two hours, pack dairy products, meat, fish and perishable foods in a cooler surrounded by ice. A half-full freezer will safely hold food for 24 hours and a full freezer will do the same for 48 hours.

Bottled, boiled or treated water is safe for bathing, drinking and cooking. Do not use contaminated water to clean dishes, hygiene reasons, to cook food or make baby formula.

If possible use baby formula that doesn’t need water.