LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A simple, inexpensive fix could make a life-saving difference during an emergency: making sure your house numbers are clearly visible.<\/p>\n
Edie Sherwood, co-owner of Area Wide Home Inspections, says those small details can matter when police, firefighters, or EMS are racing to the right address.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose two-and-a-half seconds could be the difference between a good outcome and a negative outcome,\u201d Sherwood said.<\/p>\n
Robert and Edie Sherwood own Area Wide, a home inspection company. They believe visible home numbers are crucial for safety, especially because many people don\u2019t think about it until they need help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s that it\u2019s not on people\u2019s radar,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cAnd unfortunately, it\u2019s not going to be on your radar unless and until something happens and you are in need of emergency services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sherwood adds that even with modern technology such as GPS, house numbers remain a tried-and-true tool for first responders.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I know a lot of people like to think, technology is so rock solid, but not always,\u201d she said. \u201cIf there is a very serious event, they\u2019re not going to have that option to fall back on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lubbock police and firefighters: \u201cClearly visible numbers play a vital role\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lubbock Police Department encourages residents to make sure house and apartment unit numbers can be seen easily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lubbock Police Department encourages all citizens to have clearly visible house and apartment unit numbers at their respective residences,\u201d the department said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Police say clear numbers help prevent delays when officers are responding to emergency calls.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly visible numbers play a vital role as our officers are responding to emergency calls when valuable seconds are at stake and could prevent the increase of response time,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
LPD also recommends providing additional details when calling for help, including cross streets, landmarks, and descriptions of the location.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the instance that a citizen requires officers\u2019 assistance, it is important to give the physical address of their location as well as any nearby cross streets, major landmarks, the color of the house\/apartment\/building and direction of travel,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
Lubbock Fire Rescue echoed that message, saying clear numbers help confirm crews are at the right place even when dispatch provides an address.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery second matters during an emergency, whether that be a medical emergency or fire incident,\u201d statement from Lubbock Fire Rescue said. \u201cClear visible house numbers help firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement locate the correct address as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fire officials say quick identification can impact outcomes in a wide range of emergencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cFast identification of a home can make a difference in fires, cardiac arrests, strokes, traumatic injuries, and other life-threatening emergencies,\u201d LFR said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if 911 dispatch provides the address, we still rely on visible house numbers to confirm we\u2019ve arrived at the correct location,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
Building officials say numbers are checked on new homes, but education is key<\/p>\n
Lubbock Assistant Building Official Whitley Green says inspectors look for home numbers during the building process, but the city often focuses on education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may not necessarily fail them or give them a red tag during that process, but we can certainly try to educate them,\u201d Green said, \u201cjust pretty much telling them the importance of having it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A simple check: step across the street<\/p>\n
Sherwood recommends homeowners do a quick visibility test: walk or drive across the street and see if your numbers are easy to spot during the day and at night.<\/p>\n
She says it\u2019s a small investment that can make first responders\u2019 jobs easier.<\/p>\n
Sherwood says upgrading or replacing numbers can cost around $15 to $20, and she calls it another way to support police, firefighters and EMS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes their jobs so much easier,\u201d Sherwood said.<\/p>\n
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