JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi will experience extremely cold temperatures this week.

Officials with the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) said the severe cold can pose a threat to your home and vehicle.

Here are some preventative measures to keep your home safe:

• Leave your faucet running with a slight drip and open the cabinet doors under your sinks.
• Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken.
• Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely.
• Evaluate the insulation and ventilation (roof or soffit vents) in your attic, keeping the warm air in your home and out of your attic.
• Perform maintenance checks on your vehicle. Check the battery, antifreeze and wiper fluid levels. Fill up with gas, pack emergency supplies and keep a windshield scraper on-hand to remove ice.

As you heat your home, keep fire safety in mind.

• Keep clothes, drapes, and anything else combustible at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment, especially space heaters.
• Never leave space heaters on when you are away from home.
• Never plug space heaters into extension cords. Plug electric space heaters directly into an outlet.
• All heating equipment should be UL® approved.
• Inspect the space heater’s power cord for damage, fraying or heat. If the cord inspection reveals any of these issues, the heater should be replaced.
• Never use space heaters while you sleep or in areas where children may be without adult supervision.
• Always unplug space heaters when they are not in use. The heater should also be equipped with a tip over shut-off switch.
• Never use a stove or oven to heat living spaces.
• If using a gas heater, install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area and common hallways and on every level of the home.
• Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out and where to meet outside.
• Once everyone is outside a burning home, call 911 and don’t go back inside the home under any circumstances.