Is your house a mystery to find?

The proper address identification. Addresses are vital to emergency services. A fire engine, ambulance, or police car can be delayed several minutes trying to locate a correct address. Such time delays can mean the difference between life and death. Residents are responsible for two items that largely determine the ability of an emergency vehicle to find an address: (1) Correct address from the person reporting the emergency. Your address should be written on every phone in your house so that in an emergency, anyone calling in knows the address. (2) Large, legible address numbers on each building.

Condominium complexes, condominium developments, and oddly-addressed streets can pose problems for emergency vehicles. An address may be shared by several living units in some complexes. Residents in such complexes should prearrange a guide to help emergency vehicles find the correct address.

Next time you drive home, pretend you are a firefighter or police officer. How hard is it to find your address? We can't help you if we can't find you!