Please Clear Snow and Ice from Sidewalks, Stairs and Mailboxes

Snow and Ice Buildup Can Slow or Delay Mail Service

CAROL STREAM, IL — As we experience snowfall and ice storms this winter, the United States Postal Service requests your help in clearing snow and ice from the approach to your mail box. 

“Mountains of snow and rivers of ice in front of mail boxes play havoc with mail delivery,” says Tim Ratliff, Postal Service spokesperson for Northern Illinois. “Your help in maintaining a clear path to the mail box — including steps, porches, walkways and street approach — will help us maintain consistent delivery service.” 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.

According to Ratliff, delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous condition for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The U. S. Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day. Customers might want to consider putting their mail on hold if hazardous conditions are expected at their location for more than two days, advises Ratliff.

“We appreciate the efforts of our customers as they work to provide their mail carrier with a safe approach to the mail box,” he adds.

The collection boxes also need to be kept clear for our customers to deposit their mail and for the U. S. Postal Service to collect the mail for delivery, Ratliff says. Residents and businesses with collection boxes near their property are asked to keep them clear of snow and ice.