In an emergency, every second counts. The Idaho Falls Fire and Police Departments depend on address numbers to find community members as quickly as possible. Finding homes and businesses can be challenging if address numbers are blocked, missing, unlit or unreadable.

“While the dispatch system provides fairly accurate location information during an emergency, first responders rely on address numbers to get them to the exact location,” explains Idaho Falls Fire Department Public Information Officer, Kerry Hammon.

“If you cannot see your property number from the street, especially at night, neither can first responders,” adds Hammon.

Ask yourself:  

• Are your address numbers visible from the street?
• Is the number blocked by objects?
• Are the numbers set on a background of contrasting colors?
• If your property is hidden from the street, are your numbers attached to a visible fence, mailbox, or gate?
• Is your mobile home identified with your house number?
• If your property is on a corner, does the number face the street named in your address?

City of Idaho Falls Code 10-6-4 states:

• New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.
• These numbers shall contrast with their background.
• Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of four inches (4”) high with a minimum stroke width of one-half inch (0.5”).
• Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

“Although City Code does not require addresses to be painted on curbs, we recommend property owners take this additional step to make addresses more visible for responders,” states Hammon.

While the City does not provide this service, there are companies who provide stenciling on curbs. “We encourage residents to make sure that the company complies with uniform standards and, if they are promoting their service door-to-door that they have a valid door-to-door solicitation permit issued by the City Clerk,” states Hammon.

Additional Recommendations:

• Repair or replace aging address numbers placards, especially on mailboxes that are a distance from the front of the property.
• Prune any bushes, tree limbs or other growth that has covered your number.
• Numbers should be placed beside the front door. If your door is not easily seen from the street put the numbers on a post, a fence, or other sign or means so your address can be clearly seen from the street.

“Keeping your home well lit is also important, not only for ease in finding you but also for personal safety reasons,” states IFPD Public Information Officer Jessica Clements. “We suggest having lights on your front door as well as above your garage so that you can clearly see the area surrounding the entry points to your home,” adds Clements. 

Media Contact: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer, Idaho Falls Fire Department (208) 612-8122 or [email protected].  Jessica Clements, Public Information Officer, Idaho Falls Police Department, (208) 612-8655, [email protected].