Clear House Numbering Is Critical for 911 and Emergency Responders

Please take a look at your street address number to see if it is clearly visible from the street. Following some basic guidance (see below) for street number visibility can significantly impact emergency response times and save lives when every second counts. Emergency responders rely on clearly visible street address numbers to locate and reach those in need as quickly as possible, and delays caused by obscured or missing numbers can result in critical time lost.

10 Steps To Properly Display Your 9-1-1 Address

Addressing That Works When Seconds Count

Minimum Guidelines for Proper House Numbering:

• Size and Style: Use large numbers (at least 3 to 4 inches tall) that are in a contrasting color to the background. Reflective or illuminated numbers (not reflective backgrounds) are ideal for visibility at night.
• Placement: Place numbers on the front of your building, near the entrance, or on a mailbox. Ensure they are clearly visible from the road and not obstructed by trees, shrubs, or decorations.
• Maintenance: Regularly check that your business or house numbers are intact, visible, and free from damage.

Key Reasons for Clearly Numbering Your House or Business:

1. Rapid Response: Clearly visible street address numbers allow emergency services to find locations quickly, reducing response times in urgent situations.
2. Accurate Navigation: Emergency vehicles, especially at night or in poor weather conditions, depend on street address numbers for accurate navigation to the correct location.
3. Enhanced Safety: In emergencies such as fires, medical crises, or criminal activity, quick identification of the correct address enhances the safety of both residents and responders.

Common problems that obscure street address numbers:

• Overgrown shrubs
• Light colored numbers on a light colored background
• Dark colored numbers on a dark colored background
• Black or bronze numbers are hard to see in different lighting or no lighting
• Peeling or fading, non-reflective numbers
• Numbers not visible from the driving lane on the road in both directions
• Cursive lettering instead of basic numbers
• Missing numbers
• Numbers too small

Find more resources and information at LifeNetEMS.org and 911Ready.org.

For more information or assistance with street address numbering, please contact the City of Keene Fire Department at (603) 357-9861 or use our online contact form.  We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in enhancing community safety by ensuring homes and businesses are properly numbered.