USPS encouraging larger, improved mailboxes for packages

(Gray News) – The third week of May every year is designated as Mailbox Improvement Week by the United States Postal Service.

This year, the USPS is suggesting a major improvement for homeowners.

Alongside general maintenance of mailboxes, the Postal Service also encourages upgrading to jumbo mailboxes better suited for larger parcels and packages.

Mailboxes should be installed with the bottom of the mailbox at a vertical height of between 3 and a half to 4 feet from the surface of the road.

Because of varying road and curb conditions, along with other factors, the USPS recommends contacting your postmaster or carrier before installing or replacing your mailbox.

Other activities the Postal Service recommends homeowners do to their mailboxes include:

• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door
• Repainting a mailbox that has started to rust or peel
• Remounting a loosened mailbox post
• Replacing or adding house numbers to the mailbox

More information on purchasing a jumbo mailbox can be found on the USPS website.