As annoying as snow can be for you, it is much more annoying
for letter carriers, who have to work in the snow day after day. Whether you
have a residential mailbox or a CBU, it’s important you keep your mailbox clear
of snow and ice so it is safe for mail delivery. Mailboxes that are covered in
snow are also at a higher risk of being damaged by snowplows. Save yourself and
your local USPS workers some headaches by keeping your mailbox clear.
·
Clear the area around your mailbox so your
letter carrier has plenty of room to get to it.
·
If you have a curbside mailbox, clear the road
directly in front of your mailbox. Make sure your mailbox is visible.
·
If letter carriers must climb a porch to get to
your mailbox, keep your porch clear of snow. If your porch is painted it may be
extra slippery, so be sure to salt it or put down mats to make it less
hazardous.
·
Keep a light on outside of your house in the
evening so letter carriers can see potential hazards on your property.
·
Take turns with your neighbors clearing the area
around CBUs if you have one.
·
Keep a can of deicer on hand in case the locks
of your CBU freeze.
·
Keep walkways to your mailbox shoveled and
salted so letter carriers don’t need to walk through the snow to get to your
mailbox.
·
If there is a blue collection box near or on
your property, shovel it as well.
·
Do not shovel the snow from around your mailbox
into the road, as this creates hazardous conditions.
·
If you park on the street, keep your vehicle
parked far enough away from mailboxes so they’re out of the way of the Postal
workers.
·
Attach a flag or some other type of item to your
mailbox so it is easier for letter carriers and snow plows to see.
