Picture this: You’re off to visit someone for the very first time. But the initial excitement quickly turns to frustration as you drive around in vain searching for the right house.

Now picture this: There is an emergency and seconds count. Firefighters, police or EMTs spend critical time driving around in vain searching for the right house.

The first scenario is merely irritating. The second one could be a matter of life or death. The solution to both problems is simple – make sure your house is properly and visibly numbered.

Once 911 is dialed, the dispatcher is able to identify the specific street address from where the call originated even if the caller cannot provide that information. Frequently in an emergency, people forget their address or perhaps are ill and can’t communicate. However, the dispatcher knowing the address and emergency crews finding the corresponding house are two very different things, said Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross, Triad member.

Penobscot County Area Triad, an organization composed of law enforcement, senior citizens, AARP and social service organizations, including Eastern Agency on Aging, which works to fight and prevent crime and fraud among seniors, has developed the “911 House Numbering Project.”

Triad is partnering with towns in Penobscot County in hopes of having as many houses numbered as possible. But this project is a bit more than just putting any old numbers on a house. There are other variables to consider. First of all, if your house sits back from the road and its numbers are small, dark and on the front door, they still cannot be seen from the street.

So what’s a homeowner to do? Triad has the answer.

“The inmates at Penobscot County Jail are making the 6-inch by 8-inch house number signs of highly reflective materials which meet the 911 standards,” said Ross. “The signs have a strong aluminum backing and can be placed on the house itself or on a steel stake, which will be positioned at the end of the driveway. Being reflective, these signs are very visible at night.”

There is nothing more disheartening than to be in trouble, to hear the sirens approaching knowing help is on the way, and then to hear them fade as the emergency crew drives by your house, added Ross.

The goal is to have every house in every town clearly marked so that not one resident will wait longer than necessary for the appropriate help.

The signs can only be purchased through the towns and cost $10 for the deluxe package, which includes two single-sided signs – one to face each way, a post and an attachment bolt. Or you can purchase one single-sided sign to face the street, with a post and bolt. The third option is just the single-sided sign for $4, which can be bolted directly to the house.

If someone wants a sign but their town is not enrolled in the project, the sheriff’s department should be notified. It, in turn, will contact the town on behalf of the resident, added Ross.

“It’s really something everyone should think about because you never want to be in the position of needing help and not being able to get it quickly.”

Don’t let your inability to install a sign keep you from ordering one. If necessary, a public safety official or firefighter will be happy to provide assistance.

“What better Christmas present to an elderly parent, friend or even yourself than to give this potentially lifesaving home identification? It is an inexpensive way to help ensure the safety of our seniors,” said Ross.

For more information on the 911 House Numbering Project, contact your town office or the sheriff’s office at 947-4585.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information in EAA, call 941-2865.