TOPEKA, Kan. — The U.S. Postal Service is asking all Topeka homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 21-27.

"Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of our community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for our carriers and customers," said Topeka Postmaster Steven Pinkerton. "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."

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 Pinkerton. "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 their Postal Station that delivers their mail 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, contact your local Post Office.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail volume.

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