ROCKFORD, IL — With summer just a month away, the U.S. Postal Service is asking all Rockford 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,” says Postmaster Charles Thorns.

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,” adds Thorns.

Some of the typical activities 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 Thorns. “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 Charles Thorns at (815) 229-4801.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

# # #

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

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.