Minnesota Now Facing Another Warning From USPS

Our brief February thaw is gone, and now that a massive winter storm dumped more snow over much of Minnesota, the United States Postal Service has also issued another advisory for the North Star State.

Living here in the Land of Snow-and-Ice-Covered Lakes, we're used to seeing warnings issued about the weather, health threats, and enhanced campaigns to nab speeders or drunk drivers. However, a new alert for Minnesota has just been issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

USPS Issues Winter Weather Alert for Minnesota Residents

We've all seen the familiar white trucks with the red and blue eagle logo from the United States Postal Service traversing our neighborhoods, right? According to the USPS, their specific duties are:

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 163 million addresses six and often seven days a week.

Here in the North Star State, the USPS says it operates 1,029 separate post offices. Which is a fairly impressive amount, seeing as that means there are more post offices than the 853  incorporated cities in Minnesota.

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The USPS also employs between 4,700 and 7,200 postal carriers to deliver all those letters, packages, and other mail across Minnesota, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why Your Minnesota Mail Delivery Might Be Delayed This Week

And now, the USPS has just issued an alert, given the winter weather advisories, winter storm warnings, icy conditions, and massive amounts of snow that have fallen recently (and are in the forecast again) over many portions of Minnesota.

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According to a release, the USPS is once again asking customers for their assistance by clearing snow and ice from walkways, driveways, porches, and areas around the mailbox.

"Slips, trips, and falls continue to be the most frequent type of injury sustained by our carriers," USPS Strategic Communications Specialist Desai Abdul-Razzaaq said in the release. "As winter conditions worsen, so do the number of accidents. By simply clearing the way, customers help reduce the risk."

How to Help Your Mail Carrier Avoid Winter Injuries

Previously, the USPS has said customers in Minnesota should also:

• Clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail, and then drive away from the box without danger of the need to back up.
• Walkways should be cleared of snow and ice and allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips, or falls.
• Steps should also be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair so as not to cause injury to the letter carriers or others who visit the customer’s home.
• Overhangs should be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.

The release also reminded Minnesotans who have roadside mailboxes to keep the approach and areas in front of the mailbox clear of snow or any other obstacles, like trash cans and other vehicles, noting that your carrier needs to get in and then out, without leaving the vehicle or backing up.