On Friday, a winter storm caused roads and bridges to ice over, causing many wrecks, including one that took three lives on the U.S. Highway 11 bridge in Picayune.

Another winter storm with similar weather conditions is expected for today and Wednesday.

The cities of Poplarville and Picayune and Pearl River County have all been working hard to make sure residents are safe, but it takes more than just government efforts to keep people safe.

It is also up to the residents of the cities and counties to stay off the roads, stay inside and keep warm.

The first responders and county employees are out there working in the cold to make sure the cities and county can continue to operate, but for each person that put themselves in harm’s way distracts from keeping the county going.

When you decide to drive, you are not only putting yourself in danger, you are also putting the people who will possibly have to come and help you in danger.

Also, if you are trying to keep warm, be careful what heating sources you utilize.

Don’t do things like putting gas heaters inside your house. Also, don’t use charcoal grills, generators or any appliance that uses fuel for heat inside your home.

It can cause a fire or produce fumes than can kill you.

To stay warm, layer up. Put on multiple layers of clothes and pile on the blankets.

Just like you think about your needs, if you have pets, remember their needs too.

Keep them inside and warm. They’re just as susceptible to the cold as humans and need to be taken care of.

The weather is an inconvenience, there is no arguing that, but try to stay patient and stay indoors to keep you from becoming a problem for those that might have to save you.