Are Your House Numbers Visible?
If
you’ve ever received the call from people coming to your home for the first
time stating, “I’m on your street, but I can’t find your house,” it may be time
to update your house numbers. If your guests can’t find your home, what makes
you think emergency services can?
You
might not think about your house numbers on a daily basis, but making sure your
house numbers are visible can save your life. When responding to an emergency
call, every second counts, and time spent trying to find your home is time wasted.
Numbers
should be posted near the front door, above eye level and within an area
illuminated by a porch light.
While
spelled out or fancy numbers may look nice, it’s harder to read from the
street. Stick with basic Arabic numerals, at least four inches high.
Make
sure the numbers contrast the paint color of the house. For example, light
colored walls should have dark numbers. And avoid bronze or brass numbers, they
may look nice in the store, but they’re hard to read on ANY background.
It’s
also smart to put numbers on your mailbox, but it should be IN ADDITION to
numbers on the house. Use a reflective material, you can find those at most
hardware stores. If you do put numbers on your mailbox, make sure they’re on
both sides. Anything you can do to make it easier for emergency responders to
find your home, the better.
While
having your house numbers painted on the curb can also be useful, be cautious
of any notices posted to your home about curb painting. It is a common scam;
someone will leave a notice that your house numbers will be painted on your
curb for a fee. Contact your city to see if they require curb numbers and if it
is a service they curb numbers and if it is a service they provide.
Some
other things to keep in mind:
Make sure that house
numbers are easily seen from 150 feet
If your house is at the end of a long lane, or
driveway, post house numbers near the street
Numbers should be easy to see in both the day
and night
Check periodically to make sure that trees,
bushes or shrubbery haven’t grown up and obscured your house numbers
It is not necessary to include the street name
on your house or mail box, especially if it forces a reduction in the physical
size of the house numbers.
For
more information about house numbering, visit www.sbcfire.org.