In many cases, the mailbox is the first thing people see when they come to visit. An attractive, well-maintained mailbox adds to the appearance of your home or business and our community. A sturdy mailbox protects your daily mail from the elements and a new box is safe for you and your carrier to use.

According to your local Post Office, here are some spring cleaning tips for you and your mailbox:

1) If your mailbox is mounted on a pole or a post, check its stability and make sure it is properly anchored. 2) Your mailbox identifies your address, not only for the letter carrier but for the police, the fire department, emergency workers and other service providers. Make sure your address appears on both sides of the mailbox, so people who need to find you can do so, and so can your mail. 3) Check the door and its hinges. Make sure it closes properly to keep your mail in and the wind and rain out. 4) Do you see any sharp edges or nails sticking out? Protect your own hands, as well as those of your letter carrier by filing them off. 5) Also sand and repaint or replace your mailbox if it's rusted You don't want to have to get a tetanus shot, and neither does your letter carrier!

Postal officials explain that curbside delivery — where the carrier does not leave the vehicle — is the safest form of delivery for residential areas. Postal safety experts add that the next best scenario is to move your mailbox to the bottom of your steps, away from such hazards as wobbly handrails, wet stairs, slick sidewalks and even family pets.

DO I NEED A NEW MAILBOX POST? The Postal Service does not control the design or standards for mailbox supports. However, the Federal Highway Administration recommends mailbox posts, or supports, that are no larger than 4 inches by 4 inches, or a 2-inch diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe. When buried no more than 24 inches deep, these should, should safely break away if struck by a vehicle.

In areas where snow removal is a problem, postal officials suggest using a semi-arch or extended arm-type support. This allows snowplows to sweep near or under boxes without damaging supports and provides easy access to the boxes by carriers and customers.

I LIVE ON RURAL ROUTE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Some of the typical mailbox improvements that may be necessary include:

• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.
• Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or started to peel.
• Remounting a mailbox post that may have become loose.
• Replacing or adding house numbers.

If you are refreshing or replacing your house numbers, postal officials encourage rural route customers to use both sides of the mailbox because emergency personnel often depend on mailbox information to locate people. They may approach from a different direction than the carrier. From school buses to utilities to cable services right down to the local pizza or florist shop, prominent house numbers can serve you well.

The street number, box number and any other address information must be inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and numerals not less than 1 inch in height. In all instances, placing the owner's name on the box is optional.

DID YOU KNOW… In 1891, an African American inventor was awarded U.S. patent Number 462,093 for an improvement to the street mail collection box. Philip B. Downing created a hinged opening that protected mail from both intruders and weather. The concept remains in use today with the familiar blue collection boxes.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.