Winter safety tips

The Mississippi Department of Health is reminding residents to take proper precautions as temperatures begin to drop overnight.

There are several food and water safety tips you can follow if the power goes out unexpectedly.

If the power goes out for more than two hours, pack milk, dairy products, meat, fish, and eggs in a cooler surrounded by ice. You may need to watch for boil water alerts in your area. If an advisory is issued, the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria in your water is to bring it to a rolling boil for one minute.

Carbon monoxide exposure can also be potentially harmful. Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented properly. Never heat your house with a gas oven. Never run a generator indoors in an enclosed space such as a basement or near a window.

Do not warm your car up in a closed garage. If your garage is attached to your house, close the door to the house while you warm up the car.