Eleven Tennesseans died in residential fires in 7 days, according to the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s office, prompting officials to step up efforts to keep that number from growing.

“Every life is precious that we lose,” said Dewey Woody, director of the bomb and arson section of the state fire marshal’s office.  “It's tough as professionals to deal with it day in and day out but that is one of the things that drives you to work that much harder the next day."

Woody said roughly two-thirds of all house fire deaths happen in homes that don't have smoke detectors, and to prevent more fire-related deaths in Tennessee, the department is taking a closer look at the Tennessee Fire Mortality Map.

“The problem areas are spread out all across the state,” Woody said.

The areas shaded green on the map have higher rates of residential fires and are designated as areas where more outreach and education are needed.

"We've tried to target those communities and risk areas and go door to door to put up working smoke detectors,” Woody said.

The map clearly shows Macon County as an area of concern.  Sunday night, three people were killed when flames tore through their home in Lafayette.  A neighbor that went into the burning building to try to save them also died.

"Once you get out, you don't ever go back in,” said Maggie Lawrence a captain with the Nashville Fire Department.

Lawrence said that's just one of a few basic rules that could save a life in a fire.  She visits schools, neighborhoods and retirement homes to remind metro residents of the rest of them.

“You want to make sure first of all that you have a working smoke alarm,” Lawrence said.  “Make sure that you have a fire escape plan."

Lawrence says Davidson County suffered only two fire-related deaths in all of 2012, partly due to outreach efforts.  But says every single death is one too many.

"It's hurtful and somewhat disappointing because we're striving for zero fatalities," Lawrence said.

To find out how you can get a free smoke detector for your home, visit the Fox Links section of this website.11 Tennesseans Killed in Fires in 7 Days - Eric Alvarez