When it comes to fire deaths in the state this year, the number has gone down from 2017. Ron Humprey of the State Fire Marshall’s office says 38 people have died via fire in 2018, compared to 56 last year.

With much colder weather expected this week, Humphrey is recommending Iowans do some preventive maintenance before turning up their furnace or burning wood in a fireplace.

According to Humphrey, in most cases, investigators find victims of house fires in Iowa did not have a working smoke detector in their home.