I've written several columns over the years telling people they need to drive by their own homes to see what enticing items may be in plain view for a thief to steal. Most thieves are lazy and like to take what is easily visible.
They drive by and see your weedeater or lawnmower under the carport and those items could become quick picking. I've had law enforcement officers tell me thieves will simply drive through neighborhoods to check out the landscape. They don't want to be caught climbing fences, they want something that's in plain sight.
I don't think many of us simply ride by the front of our houses or if we do we don't pay attention. Put your thief hat on and ride by your house and look to see if there is anything visible that a lazy thief could grab in a few seconds. If it is, move it.
If you are a good neighbor you will also tell people in your neighborhood that they probably need to move that chainsaw or leaf blower to the rear of the house.
During Monday night's Flomaton Town Council meeting, Fire Captain Jeremy Lee made a presentation about the purchase of reflective address signs to be placed on houses. The council took no action at the time, but it's something we all need to pay attention to.
So, drive by your house at night. Can your house number be visibly seen from the road?
I know with all this GPS technology most addresses can be pinpointed, but in the event of a 911 call you want the police department, fire department or ambulance service to find your house as soon as possible.
If there is an emergency you don't want first responders running up and down the road trying to figure out which house they need to go to.
It's been years ago, but my old address was 323. It changed to 1814 with the new E-911 map. I called 911 in the middle of the night and told them I lived at 1814. It dawned on me that I still had 323 posted on the front of my house. It also dawned on me that my numbering wasn't very visible from the street.
As I returned home Monday night after the council meeting I took a look at the front of my house. I've got a plaque that says 1814 which would be good for the UPS man during the day, but it wouldn't be very good if I needed an ambulance in a matter of seconds at night.
When you get out into the rural areas the chance of first responders knowing exactly where you live gets a little more difficult. When first responders are providing mutual aid to other towns or areas, it also becomes more difficult.
If you've ever dialed 911 you know seconds seem like minutes and minutes seem like hours. You need to do everything you can to make sure first responders find your house first.
Lee presented the council with some price lists to possibly sell the reflective signs to the citizens. No action was taken Monday.
But in his presentation, Lee noted that the Brewton Fire Department makes the reflective signs on site.
I talked with Fire Chief Jeff Salter who said the basic reflective sign is $15; a sign with a post is $25; and sign with a fancier post that could hold a mail box is $35. Salter told me it's not a money-making project for the fire department, they are just trying to cover their cost in hopes everyone will put up a reflective sign showing their address.
He also said it normally takes them about 30 minutes to have the sign ready, so you can call the Brewton Fire Department at 867-7165, tell them your house number and pick it up in about 30 minutes.
To me that's a small price to pay for something that may save your life or the life of a family member. I'm ordering mine today. I hope the town of Flomaton follows through and puts in such a program here.
They can't put the fire out or treat you for a heart attack if they are running up and down the road trying to figure out where you live.
