During Mailbox Improvement Week, USPS urges a spruce-up – and consider a larger mailbox to handle big packages

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Each year, the Postal Service designates the third week of May as Mailbox Improvement Week to encourage customers with box-on-post-delivery to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailboxes.

The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes every year. Some of the typical activities’ homeowners may need to do include:

• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.
• Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or has started to peel.
• Remounting a loosened mailbox post.
• Replacing or adding house numbers.

Replacing rusted hinges or remounting loose posts will help ensure safe and timely delivery of your mail.

Or consider upgrading to one of the newer larger capacity boxes. Today’s newer mailboxes are wider and taller to accommodate delivery of items you’ve ordered online and reduce the need for notices left and trips to the Post Office to retrieve a package.    

For information on where to purchase these new Jumbo boxes, go to https://www.usps.com/packagemailbox/.

Generally, customers should install mailboxes with the bottom of the mailbox at a vertical height of between 3 1/2 to 4 feet from the road surface. However, because of varying road and curb conditions and other factors, the Postal Service recommends that customers contact the postmaster or carrier before erecting or replacing mailboxes and supports.

Mailboxes should be placed so the carrier can safely and conveniently serve them without leaving the vehicle. Customers must remove obstructions, including vehicles, trash cans, and snow, that impede efficient delivery.

Your participation in Mailbox Improvement Week will be greatly appreciated by your carrier and the Postal Service.