Little green sign can save your life

A little green sign can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation. The reflective signs with the address of a property are available free but not enough people are displaying them, according to Pat Wilkinson, director of the South Lorain County Ambulance District.

"We want to encourage people to take a few minutes to put up the signs," Wilkinson said. "It makes rescue service more expedient."

The ambulance district, in cooperation with the Wellington Fire District, began making the signs available to rural property owners 12 to 15 years ago, according to Bill Brown of the fire department.

"The signs make such a difference, especially in the middle of the night," he said.

He said house numbers do not always progress in a logical sequence, which can make a property difficult to locate. Wilkinson said properties that are set off the road or down a winding driveway can also impede rescue workers.

Placing an easily recognizable green reflective sign on a mailbox or in a visible place in the yard can make a rescue attempt more efficient, she added.

Why don't more people have the signs? Wilkinson said people don't know about it or they forget about it. She said someone recently told her that he got a sign several years ago but it's still in his garage.

Not only are the signs free, but the ambulance district offers to erect them for anyone who needs assistance. For more information, call 647-5803.