For the most part, your family, your friends, your neighbors, postal carrier and many other associated persons know where you live. When someone that has never been to your home before is trying to find it, time is not usually a critical element. If they missed your house, they can always find a phone and call you for directions. 

 

So what is the problem? The ability to locate your home quickly by persons that have NOT been there before becomes an issue when an emergency arises. Police, ambulance and fire personnel need to be able to find your home easily to be able to help you. If your home does not CLEARLY show your address, it can delay vital emergency help to you or even your neighbors. Minutes can seem like hours when you are waiting for emergency crews to arrive in your time of need. Help them to help you by following these guidelines for posting your address on your home or business.

  

ON ROADSIDE MAILBOXES

 

SIZE: The larger the numbers, the better. Standing six (6) feet away from your mailbox, one inch letters may seem sufficient. However, in an ambulance rushing to help a heart attack victim, it is very difficult to see. A minimum of three (3) inch, reflective block-style numbers is recommended.

 

VISIBILITY: Be certain that decorations or the flag do not obstruct the numbers. If you live on a through street, an emergency vehicle can come from either direction so it is a good idea to mark both sides of your box

 

LOCATION: If your mailbox is not directly in front of your home, mark the box for the benefit of the mail carrier. However, be certain to mark your home as follows for emergency personnel.

 

ON THE BUILDING

 

SIZE: Again, the larger the numbers, the better. Since the house is farther from the street, use larger numbers than on the mail box. We recommend using a minimum of six (6) inch block-style numbers. Fancy "script" type numbers are attractive but are difficult to read quickly from a distance or in the dark.

 

COLOR: Some people have painted their address numbers to match their home, thereby effectively camouflaging them. The numbers should be painted to highly contrast with their background color.

 

LOCATION: Placing the numbers above a garage door if it faces the street and is visible, or above or near the main entrance (front door) to your home are the most common places to put numbers. It is the first place we look for the numbers when trying to find you in a hurry. Please put your number up! Help us to help you in case of an emergency.