Every second counts during an emergency. When firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel are responding to emergencies, they can be delayed if they have a difficult time finding your address. As you can imagine, valuable time can be lost if your house number is not clearly posted where emergency responders can easily see it.

Look outside at your house number. Can you tell what it is? Can others? Can you see it? If it’s not easy to see for you, it’s not easy for first responders either. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is your house number easily found, seen and readable from the street?
• Can it be found quickly in an emergency?
• Can it be found at night?
• When seconds count, can it be seen?

If the answer is "no" to any one of these questions, it’s time to consider updating or replacing your existing address numbers on your home. Check with your local community governance regarding specific guidelines for your area.

The new 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and Commentary (IWUIC) requires signs and supports be made of noncombustible materials with 4" reflective letters on a contrasting background placed at the driveway entrance.

Reflective Signs

There are “standard” address signs in use by the Genesee Foundation as lane markers and as address signs in front of homes along the named county roads.

The signs have been previously ordered from USA Traffic Signs, and they are aware of the specifications for the signs.

USA Traffic Signs

33 Miles Street

Binghamton NY 13905

800.613.0454

Email: traffic@stny.rr.com

Website: https://www.usa-traffic-signs.com/

Per Genesee Foundation rules, sign specifications are as follows:

1.  Signs, posts, and supports must be made of non-combustible materials.

2.  Letters and numbers on posts must be 4” high, reflective, and on a contrasting background color.

3.  Such signs shall not exceed a total face area of two square feet.

4.  No sign shall exceed a height of 4’ from grade.

5.  Letters and numbers on boulders, walls, and posts, must be 4” high. When possible, numbers should be reflective.

6.  Address sign lighting should be focused on the address numbers only and must be submitted.