How to protect your mailbox from snow pileups and plows this winter season

Canada Post mailbox in Tiny Township. (Township of Tiny)

With winter fast approaching, it is common for snow to accumulate in large piles at the end of driveways, and for snowplows to inadvertently damage mailboxes in rural areas.

To combat this seasonal issue, the Township of Tiny has updated its standards to rural Canada Post mailboxes on the countryside.

“This new policy helps to standardize roadside mailboxes to withstand winter conditions and regular road maintenance ahead of the winter season,” shared town staff over social media.

To make sure your mailbox fits the adjusted standards, it must be a minimum of 105 centimetres above the shoulder and at least five metres away from the centre of the roadway.

This will allow for the blade of the plow to easily pass your house.

Officials say mailboxes need to be sturdy enough to withstand the movement of snow from regular road maintenance, including windrows.

“In the rare instance that a township plow damages a mailbox that conforms to this policy, it will be replaced with a standard, medium-sized, rural-style unit constructed from weather-resistant copolymer plastic,’ said officials with the Township of Tiny.

To review the full policy, learn more here.