WASHINGTON — It happens during most winters — as the temperatures go down, the danger of home fires goes up. “Just this last week, 106 people lost their lives in residential fires throughout the United States,” said Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Brower. “The cold weather is bringing greater concern about heating safety — space heaters, overloaded electrical outlets and placing items too close to combustibles.” Brower said the importance of early warning with working, up-to-date smoke alarms “is paramount.”

From @LoudounFire I’d like all residents to check out smoke alarms every day until this weather passes. Call us if you don’t have 1 on each level and in bedrooms. 703-737-8093. We will install at no cost. 106 people died last week in their homes. Fire is cruel & indiscriminate.

— Keith Brower (@Chief600A) January 3, 2018

He also said his and most local fire departments will install free smoke alarms for residents whose homes don’t have devices, or may not have enough. “Smoke alarms should be installed in each sleeping room, and outside sleeping rooms, since a lot of people sleep with their doors closed,” said Brower. “They should also be installed in common areas, basements and inhabitable attics.” The alarms should be interconnected, so when one goes off, “all of them go off and alert the household,” said Brower. New homes are required to meet modern building codes, “but existing homes is where the problems are.” Smoke alarms over 10 years old should be replaced. “Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and other fire departments can help anyone, if they’ll just call,” Brower said. “We believe it’s vital during this cold snap to have those smoke alarms checked.”