The Woodlands Township is giving away free paint kits so residents can stencil their house numbers on the curb, a measure that helps firefighters, paramedics, and sheriff's deputies locate homes during emergencies.
The township's Neighborhood Services division announced the program on X on July 24, saying the kits help residents mark their house numbers on the curb so homes are easier for responders to find during a crisis.
The kits are free.
Residents can request one through an online form on the township's website or by calling The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch at 281-210-3800. However, the township's Neighborhood Services page notes a current waitlist. Residents can check estimated availability by emailing [email protected].
Why visible curb numbers matter for responders
Faded, missing, or hard-to-read house numbers are a documented cause of delayed emergency response. The National Emergency Medical Services Information System, which aggregates data from more than 14,000 EMS agencies nationally, lists difficulty locating a patient or scene as a recurring cause of delay. Fire departments across the country have reported similar challenges when address numbers are unreadable from the street.
National fire code requires residential address numbers to be at least 4 inches tall, positioned to be visible from the street, with a contrasting background. A painted curb number adds a second point of visibility for responders approaching at night or during heavy rain.
How to get a kit
The program is run by the township's Neighborhood Services division, which also coordinates National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, and Fired Up Tours of The Woodlands Fire Department stations.
To request a kit:
- Online: Complete the request form at thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
- Phone: Call 281-210-3800
- Questions: Email [email protected]
The township has not announced an end date for the program or specified what each kit contains. The Neighborhood Services page lists the waitlist as active; residents can email [email protected] to check availability.
