U.S. Postal Service wants you to consider changes to your mailbox

The U.S. Postal Service wants you to give your mailbox some tender loving care.

Each year, the USPS designates the third week of May as Mailbox Improvement Week to encourage customers to examine and improve the appearance of their stand-up mailboxes. This year’s improvement week is May 19 to May 25.

“Neat attractive mailboxes make a significant contribution to the appearance of the countryside and streets in suburban areas,” USPS said in a statement. Overall, people should only use fully operational mailboxes that are approved by the Postmaster General. They should be designed to protect the mail from the weather, conveniently located and large enough to support mail and package volumes.”

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A typical inspection may 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.
• Making sure there is a clear path to access the mailbox.
• Clear away vegetation which may block the house number or mailbox door.
• Replacing or adding house numbers.

Customers may want to consider upgrading to a newer, larger capacity mailbox to make deliveries more efficient. Approved boxes are available in a variety of styles and colors. Some even have a locking ability or are wider and taller to accommodate larger packages.

Customers are also able to use custom built mailboxes, but they must check with their local postmaster to make sure it conforms to postal guidelines in terms of the size, strength, and construction quality.