| While none of us ever wants to find ourselves | | | | identifiable. Large, easy to read house |
| in an emergency situation, the fact is that | | | | numbers are critical. Also keep in mind that |
| most people will at some point in their | | | | many emergency 911 calls are placed at night, |
| lives. The real question is whether or not | | | | so a lighted address sign is also a good |
| we will be prepared and know what to do when | | | | idea. Some municipalities have found this to |
| it happens. Emergencies can take many forms | | | | be so important that they have ordinances |
| such as injuries at home or work, residential | | | | regarding house markers. |
| fires, natural disasters, or terrorist | | | | |
| attacks. While there are government programs | | | | Here are a few important things to consider |
| in place to help in the case of widespread | | | | when choosing house numbers or an address |
| disasters, private emergencies often are | | | | sign for your home: |
| impacted by our own quick thinking and | | | | |
| preparedness, the result of which could be a | | | | Post your house number where it is best seen |
| life or death situation. | | | | from the street and visible from all angles. |
| | | | |
| While we may not have control over the | | | | Use large numbers and letters that are easily |
| environment when it comes to public places, | | | | viewed from a distance. |
| in our own homes we can plan for emergencies | | | | |
| to some extent. When a home emergency occurs | | | | Be sure that your numbers are reflective or a |
| and we need help, we most frequently call 911 | | | | contrasting color to the area they are |
| for assistance. The most important thing to | | | | mounted on for maximum visibility. |
| keep in mind in any emergency is to stay | | | | |
| calm. This is particularly important when | | | | Light your house number at night. |
| calling 911, so that the appropriate | | | | |
| information can be relayed. With this in | | | | If your house number is painted onto the curb |
| mind, two key pieces of information that you | | | | in front of your house, be sure it is not |
| will need to give the emergency dispatcher | | | | blocked by parked cars, garbage cans, etc. |
| are what kind of an emergency you have and | | | | |
| where you are located. The dispatcher may | | | | Be sure not to hang holiday decorations, such |
| ask you to provide additional information, if | | | | as wreaths, where they would block your house |
| needed, and follow their directions as to | | | | number. |
| what to do next. | | | | |
| | | | If your home is not visible from the street, |
| Providing your location to the dispatcher | | | | it is recommended that you post your house |
| probably seems very easy. After all, | | | | number at the entrance of your driveway in |
| everyone knows their own home address, and if | | | | large reflective numbers that can be viewed |
| you're calling from your home telephone | | | | from either direction. |
| number, the dispatcher probably already has | | | | |
| access to your address anyway. However, many | | | | Keep your house marker clear of snow and |
| emergency calls are placed from cell phones, | | | | other debris. |
| and in this case, the dispatcher often does | | | | |
| not know where you are calling from. | | | | In this country, we are fortunate to have |
| Therefore, you should always be aware of your | | | | emergency responders who we can call upon in |
| exact location. Furthermore, if you have a | | | | emergency situations. Because we depend on |
| guest staying in your home (or a babysitter | | | | these individuals to help us in emergencies, |
| watching your children), make sure they are | | | | it is our duty to provide them with the tools |
| prepared to give your street address, should | | | | they need to do their job well, such as clear |
| an emergency situation arise. | | | | communication when calling and an easily |
| | | | identifiable home. With a little advance |
| Once your location is relayed to the | | | | planning, you can rest easy knowing that you |
| emergency team, their next job is to find | | | | are prepared for the next emergency situation |
| you. You can impact their response time by | | | | to come. |
| assuring that your property is easily | | | | |