It happened again. I was on my way to an interview at an elderly person’s home, with fairly good directions I might add, but I still drove past the residence. Not just once either, but twice. The only identification for the house was a small number on a small mailbox, which was clumped together with a bunch of other small mailboxes. It’s just a good thing I’m so easygoing – right.

If I were a medical responder on an ambulance, the situation would have been much more than aggravating. It could have been deadly.

The solution, of course, is to number your house – but not with just any old numbers. For example, if your house sits back from the road and its numbers are small, dark and on the front door, they cannot be seen from the street.

Penobscot County Area Triad has the answer. This organization – made up of law enforcement, senior citizens and social service organizations, including EAA – works to fight crime and prevent fraud against seniors.

Now it has developed the 911 House Numbering Project. Triad, partnering with towns in Penobscot County, hopes to number as many houses as possible.

“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 Glenn Ross, Penobscot County sheriff. “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 peace of mind in the knowledge that your house number can be seen from the street and in the dark.

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

If you’re interested in having a sign for your home but your town is not enrolled in the project, call the sheriff’s department.

“We’ll contact the town on behalf of the resident,” said 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 fire fighter will be happy to provide assistance.

For more information, contact your town office or the sheriff’s office at 947-4585 or call me at EAA.

If you’d like to help seniors in your community reduce their risk of falling and have always wanted people to call you Coach – a personal dream of mine – EAA has an idea for you. Matter of Balance, an important fall prevention program, is in search of volunteers to “coach” the courses, which consist of a two-hour session each week, for eight weeks.

Coach training is provided and topics covered in class include education on home safety, simple exercises that will increase muscle strength and balance.

“For many seniors, the fear of falling can be almost as debilitating as a fall itself,” said Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services. “The fear can keep them from getting out, socializing and doing activities that could keep their minds sharp and bodies strong. We hope Matter of Balance will make many improvements in the quality of seniors’ lives. All we need now is the coaches.”

To obtain information on Matter of Balance or to volunteer, call Macko at 941-2865.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at EAA. For information, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.