According to the American Red Cross, seven people die every day from a home fire, most impacting children and the elderly; thirty-six people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day; and over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year.  If a fire starts in a home the inhabitants may have as little as two minutes to escape.  During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm coupled with a fire escape plan can save lives.  

The Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the South Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross, the City of Tompkinsville, and the Monroe County Board of Education to coordinate the Home Fire Campaign in Monroe County.  The Home Fire Campaign is a program of the American Red Cross and works with community partners and volunteers to install smoke detectors, free of charge, in homes.  The volunteers also educate the family on escaping a home fire and assist them in developing a fire escape plan.  

During the Monroe County Home Fire Campaign 120 volunteers visited 188 homes installing 178 alarms and replaced batteries in twenty-four alarms.  As a result of this program, 108 homes were made safer where 450 people live.  Seven of the homes receiving smoke detectors were Spanish speaking homes where thirty-eight people live.