EMS: If We Can’t Find You, We Can’t Help You

When an emergency happens, every second counts. You don’t want critical seconds to be spent by emergency responders trying to locate your house because you haven’t properly displayed your address on your mailbox or near your property entrance. Unmarked houses cause unnecessary delays.

If you haven’t already done so, please make sure that your home number is clearly visible so that we can find you in the case of an emergency, particularly if you have a shared driveway.

Make it visible from both directions

Posting your address number on your mailbox makes it easier for responders to find you, but remember that numbers need to be posted on both sides of the mailbox. Emergency vehicles may not arrive from the same direction as delivery companies.

In addition to posting numbers on your mailbox, the entry to your driveway must be marked if the mailbox sits across the road from your house as is the case in many places in Weston.

Make your house number visible at night

Responders may need to find you at night, so please illuminate your house number. Numbers on a mailbox or post at the end of your driveway should be reflective or white and on a contrasting background to ensure they’re easy to see at night.

Post your house address near the road

If your house is not visible from the road, it is important to post numbers on a sign or pole so they can be clearly visible from the road. If your house is hidden from view at the beginning of the driveway, only posting numbers on your home does not help responders recognize where you live when they drive by. Avoid putting the number on a gate or fence at the driveway. Those numbers will not be visible when the gate is open.

On long or shared driveways, put the number in two places

If your mailbox is located on a community post with other mailboxes, it is extremely important that you also post your address at the end of your driveway.

If your driveway leads to more than one address, post all numbers at the end of the driveway. Then post the number on your house.

It’s difficult for an emergency responder to know which house is yours when there are shared mailboxes in an area and no signage on your driveway to specifically identify your home.

Make sure the numbers are in clear view

Please be sure to trim any bushes away from your signs so that all numbers are clearly visible and not blocked by flowers, planters, flags, or other items.

Buy or make your signs

Numbers should be at least 3 inches high and clearly visible.

Remember, in an emergency, seconds can make a life-saving difference. You can purchase street numbers and sign kits at most hardware stores or online that are easy to affix. If you decide to make your own sign, remember to use reflective numbers that are at least 3 inches high.

Every second counts in an emergency! Don’t put this project off. Ask your children, your handyman, or a friend to help us help you.

Test it out yourself

Finally, drive the road to your house in both directions during the day and at night. Make believe that you’ve never been to your home before, and see how quickly you can find your house number as you approach your driveway and home. If you easily find your house, you’ve done a great job.

And if you notice that your neighbor doesn't have a visible house number, lend them a hand. Let's all be neighbors helping neighbors.