Can Your House Be Easily Found in an Emergency?

In case of an emergency, can first responders such as police, fire, or emergency medical services find your house? Is your house number visible from the street?

Prominently displaying your house number is essential for a variety of reasons: It makes life easier for visitors, mail carriers, and delivery companies. But, even more important, it makes it easier for first responders to find you in case of an emergency. The Board of Fire Commissioners advises residents that neither district personnel nor fire department volunteers are responsible for painting house numbers on the curb, and do not solicit donations for such services.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District offers the following recommendations to ensure that responders can see your house number in case of an emergency.

• The house number should be visible from the street in front of the property, and placed on the side of the house facing the road, as close to the front door as possible.
• If the house is far from the road, the house number should be displayed on the mailbox.
• If the mailbox isn’t in front of the house or near the driveway, the house number sign should be posted in the yard.
• The house number, whether displayed on the house, mailbox or on the curb, should be unobstructed by objects such as tree limbs, bushes, debris or decorations.
• The house number sign should be placed close to a porch light, or another exterior lighting fixture, so it can be seen at night. If that isn’t possible, consider purchasing reflective house address signs, which are available at local hardware and home improvement stores.

Remember, a difficult-to-find house number can cost first responders precious time in an emergency, where even seconds are critical. For more information, including volunteer opportunities with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.