The Strathcona Regional District is ready to reward residents whose house number is front and centre, and easy to find for first responders in case of an emergency.

The SRD has been asking residents to have their civic address clearly visible on their homes or at the end of driveways - people have been uploading their work online for a chance to win some prizes from the District.

Winners were to be randomly selected today.

Rural areas and island communities often lack visible house number signage at driveway entrances leading to delay and confusion for emergency first responders when every second counts.

The SRD notes your civic address is the primary physical feature used when locating the source of an emergency call.

Displaying clear, visible signage at the start of a driveway or at each residence is essential to ensuring timely response of emergency personnel.

The District suggests you ensure address numbers are, at minimum, 4 inches tall and a half an inch wide, with contrasting colours so the numbers stand out.

Also, reflective material or lighting will make your sign more visible at night.

In addition:

• ensure the address sign is visible from both travel directions
• attach signs to a post or tree within 3 metres of the road (not to street or highway signs)
• make sure the sign is high enough for drivers to see (higher than snowbanks, brush or other obstructions).

For details, visit Strathcona Regional District.