08/25/2025
In the event of an emergency at your home or business, can the street address be easily read from the street? When seconds count, if you can’t see your address from the street, neither can your Powhatan County first responders. We’re urging home and business owners to check their properties to ensure street numbers are clearly visible. Here are some tips to help you assess your property:
Numbers should be 3 or more inches tall for mailboxes and taller if they are mounted on your house or business.
If your driveway is long, consider posting numbers on a sign at the end of the driveway. Consider using reflective numbers or even lighting them at night.
Keep the numbers free of obstructions like trees, bushes, or decorations.
Ensure the number is visible from both directions. Emergency vehicles may not arrive from the same direction as your mail carrier.
If your driveway leads to more than one address, post all numbers at the end of the driveway. Then post the correct number on each house or at the beginning of the driveway to each house.
The next time you go out, drive the road to your house in both directions during the day and at night. Pretend you’ve never been to your home before and see how quickly you can spot your address numbers as you approach your house.
When it’s a life-threatening emergency, seconds count!
