Tips to Reduce Chance of Mailbox Damage From Plows

The following information was shared by the Merrimack Department of Public Works regarding ways to help reduce the chance of damage due to plowing. We thought it was good "news you can use" regardless of what town you live in:

To assist the Public Works Department and the Postal Service, we suggest inspecting your mailbox and post prior to winter and repairing as necessary. The following tips can help reduce the chance of damage due to plowing operations:

• Ensure the mailbox post is sturdy and fully supported to the ground to withstand the heavy snow moved aside by the plow
• Mailbox face should be at least 6" back from the edge of pavement/curb, and the bottom of the box at least 41" off the ground
• Add small sections of reflective tape to the right side (facing traffic) to make it easier to see during storms
• Remove snow from around the base, and to the right side of the mailbox regularly (but avoid pushing snow back into the road)
• Use a snowblower or shovel to cut small furrows to the right of the mailbox to allow heavy snow to fall off the plow prior to reaching the mailbox
• If you have a highly ornate/artistic mailbox, consider replacing with a standard box during winter months