The sun may be shining and the weather cooperative, but winter is coming soon. It’s not too early to think about the hazards presented by snow and ice and stay ahead of them, reminds a press release from the U.S. Postal Service.
“The snow and ice always seem to know when we have plans, special things we need to do, or just when we want to stay inside where it’s warm and toasty,” said Vicksburg Postmaster Travis Graham. “Making sure that property is safe and accessible is important for the letter carriers is good preparation for winter.”
Graham wants to remind customers to make sure to keep pathways, stairs, walkways and the approach to mailboxes free and clear from snow and ice. This will prevent injuries and allow postal employees to provide the best possible service, even in the worst weather. In addition, Graham cautions to be sure mailboxes can withstand the conditions of heavy snow and snowplows all winter long.
Mail delivery in rural areas and on private and secondary roads can be especially challenging for rural carriers; snow removal occurs less often than on primary roads. Most carriers on these delivery routes drive their own vehicles and often get stuck or cannot access the mail boxes due to snow and ice buildup. Removing the snow from around these mailboxes is definitely appreciated, he said.
Customers in rural areas can benefit from renting a post office box at their local post office. Boxes can be rented for 6- or 12-month periods and provide consistent delivery, even in inclement weather.