Designing Effective Safety Signs in Vermont

Designing safety and caution signs might seem like a no brainer, but there are a lot of important elements that go into making them effective. Safety signs are among the most important signs out there, and making them noticeable and easy to understand can literally save someone’s life. As a business that designs a lot of safety signs in Vermont, we’ve learned all the different factors that go into a top-notch caution sign. Here are the main things we always consider when hired to design and manufacture safety signs in Vermont:

  • Use images: Studies show that people are much more likely to notice images than words. That’s why crosswalk lights for pedestrians usually use stick figures and hands to say when it is and isn’t safe to cross. To that end, an effective safety sign always has a clear, easy to understand symbol that communicates the core message of the sign. This will also broaden the audience for your safety sign, as not everyone who sees it will speak English or be able to read.
  • Use simple, specific language: What gets the point across more clearly and specifically: “For your safety, it is best to not go near the yellow line” or “Stay 3 feet away from yellow line”? Simple specifics eliminate the gray area of your warning, and direct commands send the message much more effectively. Simpler language also makes it easier for more people to interpret your sign, and gives people who break the rules on purpose less likelihood of getting away with it.
  • Pick the right size: Even the most perfectly designed warning sign is useless if people can’t see it. Before choosing a size for your safety sign, strategically examine the area where it will be located from several different vantage points. The sign should be big enough that anybody who needs the warning can read it. If the warning is for a room or space that is very large or has many different angles, you may need more than one sign.
  • Choose a strong, durable material: When it comes to choosing the material for your safety sign, it doesn’t pay to be cheap. Installing and maintaining signs can be very expensive, so going with the stronger, more durable material will pay off in the long run. And besides, you want to make sure that nobody can easily tamper with or remove your sign. After all, the whole point of a warning sign is to give safety information no matter what.
  • Make consequences clear: A lot of people aren’t very good at following rules, especially if they don’t believe the rules have solid reasoning behind them. Letting people know about what might happen if they choose to ignore safety regulations will greatly increase the likelihood that everyone will heed your warning sign. For example, if your hotel doesn’t allow people in the pool after a certain time, let your guests know that they’ll be kicked out if they don’t follow the rules.

When you’re in need of quality safety signs in Vermont, be sure to visit Always On Time Sign & Design, or call us to learn more about what we can do for you.

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