COALGATE, OK - Fires are unpredictable, but there are ways to protect yourself, installing a smoke detector is a simple way to help make sure your family knows when they're in danger.

Smoke detectors can let everyone in your house know when danger is near, but many people don't have the devices. Now that's changing for some people thanks to a grant, one county is able to make sure their residents are safe and prepared.

Coal County is one of just two Oklahoma counties to get grants to purchase smoke detectors and Saturday, Coalgate firefighters got to work in their city installing the devices. The detectors may come in small packages, but they can be big lifesavers. Coalgate fire Chief David Holt says he's proud to be able to offer this service to people in the community.

"This is a very important service and I'm very thankful to the health department for helping us get the grant and get his put together," says Holt.

William Scott made sure he got some of the new smoke detectors; firefighters installed two units in his home. Scott says he had a fire scare before and hopes the two detectors will let him know if there's ever a problem again.

"I'm fearful of a fire, we got all this electronic stuff, around and that's the bottom line, i'm scared of a fire," says Scott.

Electronics aren't the only problem in homes; Chief Holt says smoking cigarettes is another problem, especially at night because you might sleep through the danger.

"Lots of people smoke in their houses and some people smoke in their beds so it's good to have them in the bedroom,” says Holt. “That way if they fall asleep you know; maybe that'll warn them, give them time to get out of their homes."

The teams of 25 from the fire department installed 37 detectors Saturday they still have more to give and hope residents in the community take advance of this free service.