WEBSTER, N.Y. — A paramedic with Webster EMS is reminding residents to make sure their addresses are visible and can be easily read in case of emergency.

Syed Ahmed Mustafa is a Webster paramedic, and loves his job.

“This is my 25th year and I do it because, frankly, I think it’s a pretty neat community service," Mustafa said. "It’s a great way to give back."

But it isn’t without its challenges. And he says one of the biggest challenges for him and first responders everywhere is finding badly marked addresses.

It’s not just a daily struggle, but a challenge with every call. He says recently, the family of a man having a heart attack had to help one of their ambulances find the house by turning the front porch light on and off.

“Time matters. We’re worried about minutes when it comes to emergency medical services, whether it’s EMS for a simple fall or cardiac arrest,” Mustafa said. “So it’s challenging for us to have to go and start hunting for houses.”

But he says there are steps everyone can take to help.

He says to use numbers that are well-maintained, well-lit, and preferably a color that contrasts with the house.

And during the winter, make sure snow isn’t blocking your mailbox.

And if you’re unsure how hard your address is to see, don’t be afraid to go outside and check for yourself.

“We really need to impress on people to please do your best to make sure that in daytime or nighttime, we can really see your house,” Mustafa said.

Because in an emergency, Mustafa says getting there quickly is crucial when minutes matter.