MICHIGAN, USA — With snow season just around the corner, both the Kent County Road Commission and Ottawa County Road Commission are reminding everyone to check on the structural integrity of their mailboxes.
Every year, mailboxes get damaged and destroyed during snow removal as snow gets thrown off plow blades.
"Grab on to your mailbox and shake it," advises Jerry Byrne, director of operations at the Kent County Road Commission. "If you can move it easily with your hand, it's not going to hold up to winter maintenance in Michigan."
“Shaking your mailbox is an important way to tell if your mailbox and post are secure and to avoid damage from the impact of flying snow this winter,” said Alex Doty, Communications Administrator with Ottawa County Road Commission. “If your mailbox and post is in good condition, there is a good chance that it can withstand the force of plowed snow.
Over time, mailbox posts can rot or become wobbly, leading them to snap or be toppled in the winter months when they get hit by snow from plows. That’s why property owners should check on their mailboxes sooner rather than later.
Byrne says doing necessary replacement or repairs now will help people avoid hassles later this winter.
"What it's going to mean for you is you're not going to get the mail for a while until it gets repaired. If winter is really cold and the ground is frozen, the post is frozen to the ground, you're going to struggle all winter trying to get a new mailbox set up and ready and get mail. So it's really an inconvenience for the resident to get their mailbox damaged."
"By checking now, you can ensure that your mailbox and post are stable and are able to survive all winter,” Doty said.
If flying snow knocks your mailbox down, the Kent County Road Commission will not replace it. It's up to homeowners to do that.
Property owners whose mailboxes get damaged from Ottawa County Road Commission equipment during winter maintenance operations may receive a new standard mailbox or a single wood post at one of its four garage locations. However, the property owner is responsible for removing the damaged mailbox and installing the new one.
For more information about the road commission's mailbox replacement policy, go to http://www.ottawacorc.com/resources/.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.