Polk Township Vol. Fire Dept.

Are your House Numbers up?

Certainly your family, friends, neighbors, postal carrier and many other people know where you live. When someone else is trying to find your home they can always stop and ask directions or make a quick phone call to locate you. The amount of time it takes to get to your home is usually not that important.

But, when an emergency arises, the ability to locate your home becomes critical. Fire, ambulance and police units must be able to find your home easily. Response time is crucial. If your home doesn't clearly display your address, it can delay vital emergency help to you or even your neighbors. Minutes can seem like hours when you're waiting for emergency assistance. Help us help you!

On March 25, 1994, the Marshall County Commissioners wrote County Ordinance No. 1994-3 to establish visual numbering requirements. Section 3., Implementation reads:

    The owner or other person having interest in all homes, businesses, premise 
    and improved parcels of real estate in the unincorporated areas of Marshall
    County shall prominently display the road address numerals not less than 
    three (3) inches in height in a location clearly visible from the nearest road. 

For Mailboxes:

Size

The larger the numbers the better. One inch letters are easily read up close, but can't be seen from a firetruck rushing to the scene.

Visibility

Make sure that flags or decorations don't block the view of the numbers. Check from both directions; the view should be clear.

For Buildings:

Size

As before, the larger the numbers the better. Since the house is farther away from the road, the numbers should be larger than the ones on the mailbox. Use block style six (6) inch letters. Script letters are fancy but difficult to read from the road.

Location

Place the numbers above the garage door or the main entrance if either one faces the road. That is the first place we will look.

Color

If you paint the numbers, use a contrasting color. Don't paint them the same color as your home; they become camouflaged.

Every second counts! Follow these guidelines so we can find your home in case of an emergency. Again, help us help you!

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John D. Einhorn