House numbers vital for emergency services
Address numbers are a simple — although easily-overlooked — addition to a home that can make a tremendous difference in terms of safety and convenience, in addition to avoiding a call from code enforcement.
Bella Vista city ordinance requires all structures have an address number — in the form of an Arabic numeral — displayed on the building itself or the property. The numerals are required to be visible from the street when facing the property, and must be at least four inches tall and one-half-inch wide. Additionally, the color should contrast with the background so they can be seen more easily.
Chris Suneson, director of Community Planning Services, said that while the dispatch system has most addresses listed and can provide GPS data, having something that can be seen on the ground is still necessary.
“It is important,” he said, “because numbers on a structure are a signal to emergency services for where the incident is occurring.”
Fire chief Steve Sims said that without a visible, legible
number directly on the structure, it may take additional time for emergency services, like an ambulance crew or fire crew, to locate the correct house.
If the numbers are only on mailboxes, for instance, and mailboxes are only on one side of the street, he said, there may be confusion before the correct home is identified — meaning more time before the emergency crews can render aid.
Arriving on time, he said, is important for any patient.
“Check your house,” Sims said. “If you don’t have a number, make sure you get one that can be seen from the road.”