With the harsh winter now past and the spring season well underway, the U.S. Postal Service is asking all Vicksburg area homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes.
“Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of our community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for our carriers and customers,” said Vicksburg Postmaster Melissa Quick.
The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year.
“This is especially important after the effects of last winter,” said Quick.
Some of the typical repairs that may need to be done include:
*Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.
*Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or started peeling.
*Remounting a mailbox post if loosened.
*Replacing or adding house numbers.
“If a homeowner plans to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, he or she must use only Postal Service–approved traditional, contemporary or locking full/limited service mailboxes,” said Quick. “Customers should be careful when purchasing curbside mail receptacles because the use of unapproved boxes is prohibited. Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they must consult with my office to ensure it conforms to guidelines applying to flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.”
For more information on the use of names or numbers on mailboxes, or answers to any other questions, please contact Postmaster Melissa Quick at 269-649-0148.