A recent rash of fires in Greenwood and Leflore County draws attention to fire prevention.
Bobby Norwood, assistant fire coordinator for Leflore County, said the lack of rain is the biggest fire hazard.
A lot of people burn trash out in the county.
"People don't take into consideration that when it is this dry, burning trash or other items can cause a fire to ignite quickly," said Norwood.
"With houses being so close together, any outside burning can cause the fire to spread quickly," he said.
The best thing to do is not to burn anything when temperatures are high and when it is very dry. If a person must burn anything outside, please have a garden hose nearby, said the assistant fire coordinator.
Residents can call the fire department if they are not sure what can be burned.
Assistant Fire Chief John Lewis said one of the causes of fire is people.
"The Greenwood Fire Department gets an average of 20-25 calls per month," said Lewis. Some of these calls are false alarms, but others include home, grass and vehicle fires.
Fire hazards can include electrical shortages, gas leaks and grass fires. Residents should pay more attention to hazards in or around the home that can cause a fire.
Residents should try to inspect hazardous conditions and practice fire safety and prevention, said Lewis.
Do not leave lit cigarettes in ash trays. Do not overload electrical circuits or leave gas cans near water heaters. Taking those precautions can prevent fires, said Lewis.
Everyone should invest in a fire alarm because they are early warning devices that help residents leave the home safely in case of a fire.
"I recommend that a fire alarm be placed in every room of the home," said Lewis.
Most alarms have an Underwriters Laboratory listing, which means they have been tested and function properly, said Lewis.
Every person should follow the safety manual's instruction on installation.
Lewis said improper installation and low batteries are main causes of fire alarm malfunction.
Some residents take the batteries out of the alarm or do not check to see if the batteries need replacing.
If the batteries are low, the alarm will make a chirping sound indicating the batteries need to be replaced.
"I tell residents as a reminder to replace batteries on birthdays or anniversaries," said Lewis.
Latonya Jones, a resident of Itta Bena, said her fire alarm is in the hallway. "I make sure the fire alarm is checked regularly and the batteries are replaced as needed," said Jones. "I have not had a fire in the six years I have been living in my apartment."
