Unless you are in the Witness Protection Program, you need to clearly identify your home! Despite common misconceptions, 911 personnel are not clairvoyant and do not know which house is yours. Have you ever tried blinking the porch light for EMS to know where your house is WHILE administrating CPR? This guide will make some helpful suggestions to consider when purchasing your address sign.

Why do I need an address sign?

Consider this:

"Your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest are reduced by 7%-10% EACH MINUTE you have to wait for emergency technicians to arrive."                  ---The American Heart Association---

"Over 100,000 people die each year simply because help did not arrive on time."          ---National Safety Council---

We have so much modern technology that can direct us to the area, even the street you live on. Most 911 responders don't have access to these expensive, high-tech devises. Even if they do, it still doesn't tell them which house is yours. You or a  loved one may die in the time span it takes an ambulance to drive past your house, realize they must have gone too far, and turn around to come back. When my father had  heart attack, EMS drove by his home 3 times! He survived but barely! The extra time it took to help him changed the quality of his life forever. This happened 12 years ago. For the last eleven years, we have been researching ways to better identify house addresses.

Which address sign is right for me?

Ultimately, it all comes down to your taste and your budget! After extensive research by trial and error, we do have a few helpful suggestions. Address signs come in so many styles!

First of all, if YOU can't see your house number driving home after dark, and you know where to look, you might as well not have one! No matter how beautiful the sign is, it is useless if you can't see it. Many communities now require reflective or well lit address number in their building code. Many fire departments have gone door to door to offer green or blue reflective address plates. Still, people don't utilize this option because of the way they look. They are very unattractive but they are very effective in most situations. They don't work as well when your mailbox is accross the road or ina cluster of other mailboxes.  Lighted signs are also effective but what happens when the electricity goes out in a storm?  Don't despair! Reflective address signs can be attractive!

If you live in a cul-de-sac or dead end road, a one sided sign is just fine. The reflective numbers should be at least 3"-4" tall. Your sign can be as low as 20" because traffic is usually slower in these situations.

If you live in a community where the speed limit is 20mph-35mph, your reflective numbers should be at least 4" tall on a sign 36"- 48" tall. Your sign needs to be two sided since you can't predict from which direction emergency personnel (or even the pizza delivery person) will come from.

If you live on a road or highway where the speed limit is 45pmh or higher, you should opt for 5" numbers or larger on a two sided, 48"-60" tall sign. If traffic is very heavy, look for a one piece sign versus one with many plate or place it a little more in from the road.

In all cases, take the terrain into consideration. If you live on a hill, the sign could be a little shorter. If your property is lower than the road, you may opt for a taller sign.  In any case, test the placement of your sign yourself. Drive back and forth to see if you can identify your address. Try it at night! If it isn't visible move it!

What is this going to cost me?

What you spend on a sign is really up to you! Most address signs range from $20 for the simple green reflective plate to $1600 for the granite sign with your house number carved out of it. Keep in mind that price has absolutely nothing to do with effectiveness when it come to address signs. Most people will choose a sign based on what looks "right" on their property. You wouldn't want to put a cheap $20 green plate on a million dollar house for instance. Neither would you put a huge estate sign on a double wide mobile home.

Also consider the longevity of the sign. A wooden sign for instance may last only 3-5 years before moisture or termites damage it. A metal sign will last much longer. How long depends on the type of metal. Iron is extremely high maintenance. You will have to paint it and sand off the rust every few years. It can also effect the quality of your drinking water if you have a well. Brass and copper will tarnish and need frequent polishing. Some people like the tarnished look! Aluminum is the least maintenance of all the metals. It may need to be painted every 10 years or not at all depending on the surface coating. The least maintenance of all signs are of the polymer variety. These will give you decade of service with not a care in the world! Wouldn't it make sense to spend less on a sign you know you have to replace soon than on a sign you will have forever? 

What about name plates?

Name plate make a sign truely yours! They are also an excellent theft deterent. Many houses may have the number 308 but few to none will have 308 and Baker! If you are uncomfortable putting your last name out there consider putting your street name on the name plate. This is recommended for the elderly, families with multiple surnames, and people who plan on selling their homes in the near future. The more personalized a sign is, the more likely it will always be yours.

Can I make my own?

Absolutely! If you are crafty enough to make your own sign, that's fantastic. Keep in mind that reflective numbers are still the way to go. You may want to buy them and attach them to the sign you made. You may also consider making just the frame and purchasing the plate with your personalization already in place. Reflective paint is also an option. Just remember, what you paint once you will have to paint again and again!