USPS asks customers to clear snow and ice off for employees

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The United States Postal Service is asking home and business owners to do their part by clearing off snow and ice from paths leading up to a mailbox or doorstep so workers have an easy time delivering mail and packages.

Mark Inglett, a spokesman for USPS, says, "If you could keep a path clear to your mailbox both on the porch or a curbside mailbox as well kinda shovel around that so we can get the vehicles up to it. "

A midweek storm dropped several inches of snow across Mid-Missouri and the dangerous conditions can make it difficult for carriers to deliver mail.

USPS says they make sure to educate their employees on how to be safe while delivering the mail.

Inglett says, "How to recognize signs of hypothermia and being cold things such as that, make sure they dress in layers, make sure they bring extra clothing in case they do get wet they can change clothes, we also make sure they have proper footwear, we have members of management checking on them throughout the day."

Winter weather can cause a threat of mail and packages being delayed but Inglett said the USPS is not experiencing any delays. However, UPS had to make adjustments to work with the changing conditions with a snow and ice storm covering a large swath of the country.

Making sure the mailbox is clear of any snow or ice is also important.

USPS wants people to know that mail carriers also work when it is dark outside, so leaving a light on is helpful. Bringing pets inside while mail is being delivered is another way customers can help USPS employees deliver mail. USPS says it's always important to bring your pets inside during dangerous weather conditions.

Brian Evanoski, an employee with USPS in Columbia, says winter is the biggest challenge to him when delivering the mail.

"The biggest challenge is probably trying to keep the vehicle from getting stuck and whatnot, like yesterday I kinda got a little stuck and there were some nice people downtown that helped pushed me out," Evanoski said.

The weather has caused issues for other package delivery services. UPS said it was suspending operations Thursday at its Louisville air hub and some operations were suspended at the Dallas air hub.

Flow's Pharmacy and Kilgor's Pharmacy in Columbia said they have received all of their packages and are not experiencing any delays.