House numbers help emergency workers

If you have to call 911, could emergency vehicles find your home?

Imagine how frustrating it would be if the ambulance, fire truck or other emergency vehicles are delayed in responding to your emergency.

Now imagine how frustrating it can be for the crews responding if they are unable to locate your home.

In an emergency, every second counts in achieving positive outcomes.

According to the National Safety Council, more than 100,000 people die each year because medical help did not arrive on time.

The American Heart Association tells us that more that 80 percent of cardiac arrests incidents occur in the home and that the chance of surviving cardiac arrest are reduced 7 to 10 percent for each minute you wait for emergency medical help to arrive.

The theme of National EMS week this year is: "Count On Us When Seconds Count!"

Your Lakeside QRU and Somers/Lakeside Fire Department have the trained personnel, vehicles and equipment to save lives, but if we can't find your house when an emergency arises, there is no equipment in the world that can help.

Your QRU and Fire Department also have many new volunteers and may not know you and your home personally. Help us to help you.

As you start to think about spring cleaning and getting your yard ready for summer, here are some easy things that you can do:

- Make sure that your house number is displayed in large-sized lettering in a contrasting color to your home and located high enough that it can be seen from the road.

Choose house numbers that are reflective if possible and at least 4 inches high.

- Do a drive by of your home both during the day and at night and try to put yourself in the place of someone who is driving an emergency vehicle.

Is there anything that makes your home stand out?

If so, make sure to mention any unusual features of your home to the 911 operator if you ever do need to call 911.

- One of the best ways to signal 911 emergency responders is with a flashing porch light.

You can have someone manually flash the light or you can purchase special switches, which flash your porch light when needed.

- To help 911 emergency vehicles find your home, turn on every light in the home and also the emergency flashers on your car or truck.

- Send someone to the road to signal with a flashlight as the emergency vehicle approaches.

A few seconds can literally mean the difference between life and death in certain situations.

- If your home is more that 100 feet back from the road, or you have a very long driveway, it is best to place reflective house numbers at the end of your driveway.

Also, if you live on a back road and your home is not clearly marked, you can place a sign with address and/or name information at the main road with directional markers to assist emergency vehicles.

Sliters Ace Hardware has graciously offered a 20 percent discount on materials you might need to properly identify your home and help emergency crews find you in the event of an emergency.

Coupons are available from Lakeside QRU members and Somers/Lakeside Fire Department members.

Smith writes on behalf of Lakeside's emergency services, which are gearing up for National EMS Week on May 16-22.