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A couple of weeks ago, I took my daughter to a party. I had the address and I had a GPS in my car, but once I got to the approximate location, I couldn't tell which house it was! None of the four houses nearby had address numbers posted on the house or the curb. And none of the mailbox numbers matched the house number I had been given.

Finally, I started going door to door, asking for the correct house.

While it only took five extra minutes, I wonder what difference that could have made in an emergency. If you were to call 911 only to have the ambulance (or police or fire crew) rush to your neighborhood, but be unable to locate you, it wouldn't do much good.

For the convenience of your guests, proper mailing of important items, and safety for your and your family in times of emergency, please make sure your home address is clearly marked and can be seen both day and night.

There are many stylish ways to do this, with stone or ceramic house plaques, lawn address markers, metal numbers attached to walls or posts, or mailbox attachments. You can also have the numbers brightly and clearly marked on the curb in front of your home for only ten to 20 dollars…or do it yourself with some spray paint and a stencil!

Take a few minutes to check your house numbers. Make sure a newcomer or emergency personnel could find you easily.

Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.