USPS to Durham and Middlefield Residents: Remember the Mailbox During Snowstorm Cleanup

The United States Postal Service on Thursday was reminding residents that, when cleaning up from a snowstorm to give a little TLC to the mailbox.

That and clean it off if you want mail delivered.

The USPS is offering mailbox tips for storm cleanup:

Q: What are the general rules for a carrier's accessibility to a mailbox?

A: Carriers are not required to deliver to locations where safety issues — such as icy steps, snow-packed paths or icy overhangs — create perilous conditions. Some things to consider:

• Painted porches and steps are particularly hazardous. While salting or rubber-backed mats help make them less-slippery, residents should clear the snow before a letter carrier arrives with the mail.
• Keep steps and sidewalk clear of snow and ice — as well as removing snow from around curbside mailboxes.
• In situations when delivery is suspended, contact local postal officials to discuss ways to eliminate the hazard.

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Q: Is it different for rural delivery?

A: Rural letter carriers often drive their own personal vehicles with roof or magnetic signs identifying them as mail delivery vehicles. They make frequent stops at curbside mailboxes.

For rural delivery and customers who receive mail delivery to rural or curbside boxes need to keep the approach to and exit from their mailbox clear of snow, ice, vehicles, trash cans and other objects.

Customers must remove obstructions around a mailbox.

The approach to and exit from the mailbox should be cleared sufficiently on both sides to allow the carrier to drive ahead and not be required to back up after delivery.

Q: Is it the carrier's call on what is safe/accessible?

A: Carriers are not required to deliver to locations where safety issues like slippery steps, snow-packed paths or icy overhangs create perilous conditions.

Q: The plow knocked over the mailbox. What do you do in that case?

A: Each city of town has its own set of procedures for handling a replacement of a mailbox. The USPS cannot provide curbside service to a residence without a mail receptacle.

Q: How does the postal patron get notified if the carrier can't access the mailbox?

A: There is no formal notification process. If mail is curtailed, delivery is attempted the next delivery day. If the customers have a temporary situation, mail will be held at the Post office.

Q: What happens to the person's mail? Is it held at the local branch for a specified period of time?

A: Customers are allowed to pick up their mail at the post office for a reasonable period of time and once the box is restored, the USPS we will resume delivery immediately. Customers talk to their local postal manager to discuss their individual situation and when the snow finally clears, customers may want to discuss the best location for the mailbox with the delivery supervisor in an effort to minimize these types of delivery disruptions.

Photo credit: Chris Dehnel

— By Chris Dehnel (Patch Staff)