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