House numbers matter

 The CFA is urging Yarra Ranges residents to make their house numbers clearly visible.

A post on the CFA District 13 Facebook page said doing so could save lives.

“Street numbering displayed should be reflective both day and night and the numbers should be attached to a letterbox, a post, a dedicated board or the boundary fence,” the post said.

“It should be large enough to be clearly readable from the road.

“When properties are clearly numbered our emergency services can find you quickly and reduce any delay in response time.

“Hidden or non-existent house numbers can waste time, and in an emergency situation every second counts.”

The post also explained Victoria’s rural addressing system, which is based on the property’s distance property from the start of the road.

“Many benefits come from having a rural road number and as stated, having your number clearly readable from the road is particularly important in emergency situations when time is critical,” the CFA said.

“It is important for rural residents to use their rural road number when providing their address to emergency services and that the number is clearly displayed on the main access point to the property.

“Lot numbers, RMB and older shire numbers should no longer be used and these numbers should be removed if displayed at the front of the property.”

Visible rural road numbers also provide a reference point for emergency services to locate other numbered properties along the road.

The post recommended contacting Yarra Ranges Council with any questions regarding the rural road numbering system, not the CFA.