The first real cold spell is upon Warren County and portions of Mississippi and officials are encouraging people to take precautions.

“Expect some cold temperatures throughout the rest of the week,” John Elfer, Warren County’s emergency management director, said. “There is also a slight chance for some freezing rain Wednesday morning, but this will likely remain to the north of our area.”

Elfer encourages the community to “pay attention to changing conditions and take measures now to protect pipes, vegetation, pets and other vulnerable people that may not have adequate heat.”

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a significant freeze is expected Wednesday night over much of the area as temperatures fall well into the 20s.

Fire safety

Vicksburg Fire Chief Craig Danczyk also reminds people to use space heaters properly, check smoke detectors, avoid using candles and have a fire extinguisher.

“Summertime is over and now it’s winter,” Danczyk said. “We are clearly getting into some colder weather and I hope people make good, safe decisions in the home.”

He said heating devices, such as a space heater, should not be used near a bed or material that can catch fire, and should be plugged into an extension cord that can pull a lot of voltage or wattage.

“If you have a device like a heater that draws a lot of current, be sure not to use an extension cord not designed for that kind of electrical draw,” Danczyk said. “It will get hot and I’ve seen cases where the cord gets too hot and catches the carpet on fire.”

He said people should also perform routine maintenance, such as changing air filters in their heating system, and have a fireplace properly cleaned before use.

But Danczyk strongly encourages everyone to have working smoke detectors in the home. The Vicksburg Fire Department offers a free smoke alarm program, where firefighters will come to a home and properly install the smoke alarm at no charge.

“We feel every home needs a working smoke alarm and some need more than one depending on the size of the home,” Danczyk said. “I encourage people to call us at 601-636-1603 and tell us they would like to get on the list to have a smoke alarm installed. Based upon how many people are on the list, we can get out there the same day or that week. But it’s a free program and we encourage people to take advantage of it.”