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When you
call emergency personnel such as the police, an ambulance, or the fire
department, they should be able to identify your home as quickly as
possible. Don't make the job more difficult by obscuring your street
address.
During the
holiday season, many people cover their street addresses with Christmas
decorations or wreaths. While there's nothing wrong with sprucing up the
outside of your house, make sure that the address is visible.
At any
time of year, move or trim shrubbery that covers up your street number,
and move other obstacles such as construction material that interferes
with the address visibility.
Keep your
address well lit. If your outside light is next to the door, but your
address is over the garage, install a second light. To deter robbers, you
should always keep your outside lights on at night in any case.
To ensure
visibility~ you can install illuminated numbers.
Try to
keep your address numbers a contrasting color from the background. A brown
painted number against a brown wail can be tough to pick out.
Newly
built homes often have temporary lot numbers but no street addresses
posted. Tell the emergency dispatcher your lot number. If that number
isn't well lit, advise the dispatcher of identifying features or
land-marks, such as the type of car in the drive-way.
The
emergency services personnel in your area should be familiar with the
streets. But if you have time on the phone, you could provide basic
directions, such as the nearest main intersection.
Look at
your address from the street to make sure that it is visible. It doesn't
do a police car or ambulance any good if the address can only be read from
a few feet away.
When
calling 911 or an emergency operator, stay on the line long enough to
confirm your address.
In an
emergency, a few minutes or even seconds can make a difference to your
safety. Making your address clearly visible can ensure that emergency
personnel find you without wasting any time.
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