Mail carriers ask for assistance with snow

January 7, 2014 Mail carriers ask for assistance with snow

Anonymous Westside Flyer The Hendricks County Flyer Tue Jan 07, 2014, 02:50 AM EST

As the inches of snow increase by the hour throughout Indiana, the Postal Service is asking customers to help letter carriers deliver mail safely by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes.

The weather forecasters predict even more of the same next week, which means cold, icy conditions will remain and we can expect several more snowstorms before spring arrives.

One seasonal tool is expected to make its return at homes and businesses the shovel.

Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow, Indianapolis Postmaster Gary Soultz said. Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approach will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get those cards and packages delivered.

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear. Customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows to keep access to their mailboxes clear for letter carriers.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort, Soultz said. 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 asked to keep them clear of snow and ice.

We want our letter carriers to be safe, Soultz added. We can only do this with the help of our customers.

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Mail carriers ask for assistance with snow