6 mailbox tips to protect your packages and letters

Experts say these tips can help protect your important postal deliveries.


Although this does not feel like the "smail email" plays such an important role in life as even ten years ago, the reality is that we came to count even more on physical letters and Package deliveries In many ways. Unfortunately, the increase in online purchases and technological changes in recent years have made the articles in your mailbox and on your first porch targets for criminals. Last year, an estimated 260 million Packages delivered were stolen in the United States, compared to 210 million the previous year, according to a Safety Product Guide Safewise report. Fortunately, there are several ways to secure your plots and shipping costs to make sure they don't end. Read the rest for mailbox tips to protect your packages and letters, according to experts.

In relation: The USPS postal inspector reveals how to send checks to avoid flight .

1
Do not use your mailbox for outgoing letters.

Close up of a mailbox opened with the contents of the mailbox showing with shallow depth of field
istock

Even if it is most often a receptacle for the items that happen to you, your mailbox is actually a two -way ship. This can sometimes be useful if you don't have time in your schedule to go to the post office. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

But if you send potentially sensitive elements or letters containing personal information, you may want to think twice before leaving it for pickup. According to Michael Martel , an American postal inspector and the national public information manager for the American postal inspection service (USPIS), the use of letters inside your local post office instead of a blue box in the street is the best. If you are still in a hurry, try to give your paper mail to a lecturer on the spot.

In relation: 7 ways to manage time in the post office .

2
Install a video doorbell.

ring doorbell mounted outside home
Brandonkleinvideo / Shutterstock

Technological changes may have given birth to packaging thieves, but they also made it easier to keep them remotely. Now, experts say that it has never been so easy to set up with a relatively sophisticated and efficient solution.

"The installation of a video doorbell allows owners to see all those who approach their home, whether it is children who come back from school, postman or delivery drivers", explains Gilad Epstein , CEO of Home Security Company Lorex technology . "The owners should look for video bells that offer clear resolution, a night vision of color, a detection of people and mobile notifications, to name just a few."

In relation: See a sticker on your mailbox? Don't touch it, said Usps .

3
Do not let your letters linger outside.

man looking into mailbox in street
Goodboy Picture Company / Istock

Let's face it: invoices, catalogs and advertisements that make up most of our daily deliveries do not generally create a feeling of urgency to erase the mailbox. However, leaving your letters dragging too long could make you a target for identity theft, fraud and other crimes.

Martel says that it is best to recover your mail and your packages quickly after delivery and leave nothing in your mailbox overnight. If you are waiting for checks, credit cards or other sensitive items and you are not at home to catch the postman, ask a confidence friend or neighbor to recover your mail instead.

If you are afraid of missing your packages, you can always keep one step ahead. Martel suggests registering for informed delivery notifications on the USPS website for updates by daily email of mail and incoming packages.

4
Ask your post office to keep your mail when you leave the city.

istock

Of course, you will not always be there to wait for the factor with your deliveries. If you take a trip, Martel recommends saying to your local post office when you are out of the city so that they can hold your mail until your return.

If something slips through the meshes of the net, you can always be proactive by signaling any mail or theft of package presumed to a postal inspector by calling the 1-877-876-2455.

In relation: USPS has just issued a new warning regarding email .

5
Install a mailbox or a secure and secure package.

A locking mailbox with packages inside
FISHYSAM / ISTOCK

A traditional mailbox can keep your letters contained and relatively sheltered from the elements, but they are far from thieves. This is why it might be useful to consider upgrading to something more sustainable.

"The best way to secure your mail and your packages is to use it from a package delivery safe, which allows owners to protect all deliverables in one place, including special deliveries such as medicines" , explain Jeff Kutas , CEO of Mailbox Company MB Sentinel . He adds that it is also useful to work on a camera door bell in the safe for the delivery you choose which can also be attached to the box.

There are even more transparent options that can blend into your home and its features. "Houses with doors can actually have a safe package delivery in a column, eliminating the risk of a self -supporting mailbox by the road, explains Kutas." Those without door can install them in the side of their house so that all packages are delivered safely in the house, eliminating the threat of porch pirates, weather conditions and other dangers. ""

In relation: USPS makes these changes to your mail, from now .

6
Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on.

Cropped shot of a delivery man handing over a package
istock

Staying above your packages and mail with technological upgrades can help you give you peace of mind. But for a long -term solution, this can also help count on your community to keep things safe.

The USPIS recommends starting a neighborhood watch program to remain vigilant. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch the mailboxes of the other and make sure that things remain safe.

For more USPS information delivered directly in your reception box, Register for our daily newsletter .


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: / Home / / Safety
23 incredible gifts for <em /> Foreign things </ em> fans
23 incredible gifts for <em /> Foreign things </ em> fans
3 improvements that you may feel instantly by attacking chronic inflammation, says the doctor
3 improvements that you may feel instantly by attacking chronic inflammation, says the doctor
20 people share what they learned after a failed relationship
20 people share what they learned after a failed relationship