This simple step could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, says SA Ambulance Service.

This advice follows several occasions where ambulance crews have had difficulty finding patients because of poor property identification.

“Clear labelling allows ambulance crews to get to you quickly, and that’s what you’d want for yourself or your family,” SA Ambulance Service Upper Yorke Peninsula regional team leader Amber Cooper said.

She recommends residents look at the entrance to their property during both the day and night to check that a number is clearly visible.

Problems occurred, she said, where properties had no letterbox or when signs were aged, faded, or covered by plants or dust.

“A huge problem is with shacks and farms when the only info given is for the ambos to turn off a certain road,” Ms Cooper said.

“It is not only difficult for the ambulance to find the location, but even more so for the first-responders, such as Jenny MacKenzie of Edithburgh, particularly at night time.

“The nearest ambulance station [to her] is Yorketown, which means that Jenny has to respond in her own car without the aid of scanner lights.

“Whilst people may think they have numbered their house, if the number is faded and up by the front door — not out on the street or on the gate —it makes it even harder, particularly for our first-responders.”

“Jenny found on one occasion recently at Wool Bay she had to stop at a neighbour’s house to ask where a certain house number was, obviously delaying the patient’s treatment.”

Ms Cooper said property ID was best placed at the entrance to your block of land or home, on the front fence, kerb, or a suitable post.

“Volunteer ambulance officers are here to serve their community, and it’s very frustrating for them when they know someone needs help but they can’t find them because a house is poorly identified.

“Make it easy for us, so we can do our job of helping you.”