Clinton County Road Commission Promotes Residents to “Shake Your Mailbox”
Although October 15th, 2011 was officially named as the third annual “Shake Your Mailbox Day” by Governor Rick Snyder, Clinton County Road Commission would like to remind all those residents who were unable to participate to do so prior to winter’s arrival.
The goal is to remind and encourage homeowners to make time each fall to prepare their mailboxes for winter. “Many homeowners have started the practice of changing batteries in smoke detectors and filters in furnaces when clocks are changed for daylight savings time,” County Road Association of Michigan Director, John Niemela said. “In the same manner, Shake Your Mailbox Day reminds homeowners to prepare their mailbox for winter.”
Heavy snowfalls in recent winters have led to an increase in the number of mailboxes damaged by heavy snow thrown from passing plows. “In most instances where mailboxes are damaged the snow plow doesn’t actually hit the mailbox,” Niemela said. “The force of the snow thrown from the roadway is enough to knock down a loose mailbox. Damage to these posts and receptacles can often be prevented by proper routine maintenance.”
Please take the time to tighten screws and secure your mailbox receptacles now as this can prevent a delay in mail deliveries during the winter and costly fixes that could be prevented. “If the mailbox moves when shaken, the mailbox and/or post may not withstand standard snow removal operations and should be repaired or replaced prior to the onset of winter,” stated Niemela.
Mailboxes are one of the only objects allowed by law to be placed in the road right-of-way. The location and construction of mailboxes must conform to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Postal Service and standards established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the Roadside Design Guide.
To view the Clinton County Road Commission’s mailbox policy, Click here.