Winter is the time for crisp air, crackling fires and, family gatherings. It is also the busy season for firefighters, the Sheriff’s Department and other public safety workers.

Marking your home with appropriate, easily found and easily read numbers is the first step in insuring that help can find your home in case of an emergency. All new residential, commercial and industrial lots in Coweta County are required to be numbered with markings at least 3 inches high and plainly visible and legible from the roadway.

Existing homes and buildings are not required to meet these minimums, but it’s a very good idea says Coweta County Fire Chief Dennis Hammond.

“If we can’t see your house number from the road, in the dark, we may pass your home, which means we waste time turning around. Plus you can’t just turn around a 30 foot fire truck anywhere,” said Chief Hammond.

For existing lots, the county zoning ordinance says that the number can be painted in reflective street marking paint if there is a curb. If there is no curb, the numbers may be on the mailbox, if the mailbox is adjacent to the property. The numbers should also be on both sides of the mailbox.

“A lot of people think those numbers are only for the mailman, who of course delivers the mail every day and knows the route. We rely on the property numbers to get where we need to be – They are a part of being as responsive as we possibly can be,” said Chief Hammond.

“I urge everyone to take a look at your home and make sure that you can read your house number from the road, in the dark and coming from both directions. If you can’t easily read it from your car, it’s too small,” said Chief Hammond.

If you have a question about the marking of your home or business, call the Coweta County Fire Department at 770-254-3901. They will be happy to look at the markings to insure you can be found if you need help.

login to post comments