Winter in the Pacific Northwest can bring snow accumulations totaling inches or feet depending on the location. When combined with extended periods of freezing temperatures, routine mail delivery can become treacherous. Customers can help ensure their mail carrier has safe access to mailboxes and front porches during deliveries by providing a clear path.  

The Postal Service is asking customers to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs, porches, and the approach to mailboxes whether on a house or at the curb.

Any amount of snow and ice can cause a dangerous situation for mail carriers and others. Keeping a clear path to and around mailboxes will help mail carriers continue consistent delivery as well as keep them safe from potential slipping and/or injuries.

Mail delivery may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways pose a hazardous condition for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes.

Customers who have curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snowplows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers and postal vehicles.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear.

The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.

Blue collection boxes also need to be kept clear for customers to deposit their mail and for the Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are also asked to help keep them clear of snow and ice.

###