ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It’s been a challenging time for postal deliveries with all this snow piling up in communities around the region. The United States Postal Service is asking for the public’s cooperation to help clear the way for postal vehicles and drivers out delivering mail on foot.

What You Need To Know

  • Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver mail and to drive away without the need for backing or departing the vehicle

  • Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice, allowing enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls

  • Steps and handrails should be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair to avoid injury to letter carriers or others

Pushing and moving snow out of the way is part of the daily routine these days. All that snow must land somewhere, and that often means blocked mailboxes on the street and no clear path to the house.

“Everything takes more time and nobody’s impervious to us and especially us,” said Mark Lawrence, a communications specialist at the USPS.

USPS says it is safety first for mail carriers. One postal carrier may deliver to some 500 homes on one route, so if a mailbox is blocked from the snow, the mail is marked undeliverable and resorted for delivery the next day.

“We’re out on the street with other vehicles passing us," Lawrence said. "[We have to] keep the seatbelt on at all times when you’re in the vehicle. So it’s like, ‘OK, I’m far away, but if I take my seatbelt off and stretch out towards the window, I can get it.' But that’s a big no. Our carriers must be able to pull up to the mailbox. We are not going to attempt anything that is not safe. Any help we can get from customers to clear the way is appreciated.”

If you can, clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver mail, and drive away without the need for backing up. Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice, allowing enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls.

Customers with questions or comments about their mail service can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).