March 18, 2001--

Salt Lake firefighters say many homeowners need to make their addresses more visible.

They say it can make it difficult for crews to find someone in need of help, and could ultimately cost someone their life. News Specialist Jill Atwood explains.

Acceptable, unacceptable, no address at all.

It didn't take us long to find exactly what firefighters are talking about.

One sweep through this Kearns neighborhood and we found four homes right off the bat.

CAPTAIN JAY ZIOLKOWSKI, SALT LAKE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: "SECONDS MATTER IN OUR BUSINESS AND WHEN PEOPLE CALL 911 IT'S USUALLY BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND THAT'S WHEN WE NEED TO GO TO WORK AND DO OUR JOB AND IT'S A LOT EASIER TO DO OUR JOB WHEN WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING."

Firefighters want you to make sure you're numbers are bold, contrast with the color of your house and are in plain site.

Curbs and mailboxes just aren't going to cut it.

"SUCH THINGS AS THE MAILBOX OR THE CURB WHILE THEY ARE NICE AND CAN ENHANCE THE ABILITY TO FIND YOU FASTER GENERALLY ISN'T THE BEST WAY TO GO..THINGS SUCH AS SNOW, GARBAGE CANS CARS THOSE KIND OF THINGS CAN COVER THOSE UP ON THE CURB."

JILL ATWOOD, EYEWITNESS NEWS: "NOW A LOT OF YOU MIGHT BE THINKING IF THERE'S A FIRE THERE'S GONNA BE SMOKE. THERE IS GOING TO BE FLAMES..IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY EASY TO SPOT AND THAT'S CERTAINLY TRUE, BUT CONSIDER THIS..80 PERCENT OF THIER CALLS ARE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES."

Captain Ziolkowski remembers one instance in particular where crews were called out to help a woman having trouble breathing.

There were three homes right in a row -- none with visible addresses.

"IT MADE IT DIFFICULT FIRST OFF TO FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION, BUT NEXT OFF WHICH OF THE THREE HOUSES IS WHERE WE WANTED TO BE...AND YEAH YOU CAN TAKE A MOMENT TO FIGURE IT OUT BUT AGAIN THOSE SECONDS REALLY MATTER...AND SO IT REALLY CAN CUT BACK ON OUR ABILITY TO TREAT THE PATIENT RIGHT AWAY."

That can also put added stress on firefighters and also family members waiting for what already seems like an eternity. Addresses painted on the curb can easily chip off particularly after the winter months.

Firefighters say it's best to have the address on the front of the house itself.