The Goal: To help emergency services find you as quickly as possible in an emergency
Emergency services - Fire Protection, Law Enforcement and Medical Aid know their areas of service. The know the streets and neighborhoods as well as they can, but sometimes a poorly marked address can double emergency response time! Make their job as easy as possible. Have your address number readily available to them - in the day or night.

The Problem:
Numbers are not up at all.
Numbers are obscured by trees, bushes or vines.
Numbers are painted over.
Numbers have fallen into disrepair.
Numbers are not visible from the street.
Numbers are not legible.

The Causes:
Many people don't understand the importance that address numbers play in their safety.

Poor Maintenance:
Some numbers are up but have been neglected and no longer effectively identify the house. Having your numbers up doesn't do any good if they can not be seen easily.

A Walk Through Your Neighborhood
The Plan: Identifying The Problem in Your Neighborhood. Put yourself in the place of an emergency vehicle by taking a walk through your neighborhood. Start at the boundaries of your neighborhood. Check all intersections leading to your street. Are your street signs up? Check to see if they can be clearly read from each intersection. Become familiar with your neighborhood. Move down the block toward your house, paying attention to each of your neighbor's homes as you pass. Note the progression of numbers from house to house. Are the homes numbered by 2's? by 4's? or 6's? Now, move to your own home. As you look at your own address number, looks for these keys to visibility:

Line of sight: An emergency vehicle will be moving. As you walk, watch how numbers that are visible from directly in front of the house can become hidden by such things as trees, light poles and recessed doorways. There are better places to put your numbers than others. It's your job to find the best place.
Foliage: Landscaping can hide address numbers. Address numbers must be kept clear of branches and vines. If this is not possible, you should move the numbers to a better location, and closer to the road on a light pole, mailbox, fence or some other locations with a direct line of sight to the road.
Contrast: Do the numbers separate clearly from their background? If not, they may be difficult to see. especially in the dark or in bad weather.
Legible Type: Are the numbers easy to read? Are they in good repair?
Night Visibility: Are the numbers near a light? Many emergencies occur at night.
As yourself this simple question: Would I be able to locate my address in an emergency?

Your House Numbers
Find the ideal spot on your house for your numbers, taking these main points into account: Line of Sight, Foliage, Contrast, Legible Type, and Night Visibility.

Use Common Sense.
Visibility Is The Key!
Place your address numbers on the most conspicuous spot on your house. Select address numbers that are bold and easy to read. A good guide is 4" by 1" wide against a contrasting background. trim any vines or branches away from the numbers.

Some Other Important Things To Do:
Phone Sticker: In an emergency, the person placing the call is under stress and can sometimes give the wrong address. Identification Stickers should be placed on or near your telephone listing your name, address and phone number. In an emergency, all that you, your babysitter, a guest or anyone else using your telephone will have to do is read the sticker.
Have Someone Standing On The Curb to guide emergency vehicles to the emergency. This is the most effective way to direct emergency services to where they are needed.

Apartments and Condominiums:
Multi-unit apartment buildings and condominium complexes can present a big challenge to emergency services. Make sure that the layout of the complex is clear at the entrance. A map with the numbering scheme is ideal.

Always Keep Your Numbers Well Maintained!
For more information please contact:
Simsbury Fire District, Office of the Fire Marshal
Fire Marshal Kevin Kowalski
Deputy Fire Marshal Patrick Tourville
Phone: (860) 658-1971
Fax: (860) 658-5611