The U.S. Postal Service is asking all homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 16–22.
“Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of our community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for our carriers and customers,” District Manager Jodi Nascimento says. “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 this past winter.”
Some activities homeowners may need to consider include:
Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door
Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or has started to peel
Remounting a loosened mailbox post
Replacing or adding house numbers
Clearing in an around the mailbox to minimize insects
“If a homeowner plans to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, they must use only Postal Service–approved traditional, contemporary or locking full/limited service mailboxes,” said Nascimento. “Customers must be careful when purchasing curbside mail receptacles because the use of unapproved boxes is prohibited.”
“Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they should contact their local Post Office to ensure it conforms to guidelines applying to flag, size, strength and quality of construction,” she added.
For more information on the use of names or numbers on mailboxes, or answers to any other questions, please contact your local Postmaster.
Bob Bakken is the most recognized and most trusted name in DeSoto County news and sports reporting, as readers continue to express their appreciation for his accuracy and fairness in the stories he writes. Bob is also heard on 95.3 The Rebel twice a week with sports updates and high school football play-by-play broadcasts in the fall. A former newspaper editor and writer, his award-winning background also includes television news producing, sports media relations, and radio broadcasting.
