VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Police Department is urging all residents to inspect their homes and businesses this fall to ensure that they have the house number of the address displayed.

“All first responder agencies rely on these numbers to ensure they arrive quickly at the address which called,” the VCPD states. “In some cases, there may be a delay in response because a house number wasn’t attached to the front of the house, wasn’t visible due to dark or somehow blocked by bushes or vehicles.”

Some suggestions offered by the International Building Code:

-The house number should be visible from the road or street in front of the property. As such, the house number sign should be placed on the side of the house that faces the road. If the house is too far from the road, the house number should be displayed on the mailbox. If your mailbox isn’t in front of your house or near your driveway, post a house number sign in your
yard.

-The house number, whether displayed on the house or mailbox should be unobstructed by objects such as tree limbs, bushes, debris, or decorations. A house number sign should be placed in close proximity to the porch light so it can be seen at night. When that isn’t possible, invest in reflective house address signs.

-The color of the numbers should be in sharp contrast to their background. House numbers should be big and bold. According to the International Building Code each number must be a minimum of 4 inches in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches

“Your address number can be the difference between life and death,” the VCPD stated. “House numbers can greatly assist fire fighters or paramedics in arriving on time in times of emergency. Fires, crimes, or accidents in your house or the roads outside will all require the speedy arrival of emergency workers.”

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