Almost everyone has a mailbox where they live. Not everyone has the same kind of mailbox, but they have a mailbox. The mailbox makes it much easier for both the postal carriers and the residents.
Before mailboxes you needed to be present at home to receive your mail. You also had to take your mail to the post office to send it. This was an inconvenience to many people. With a mailbox all you have to do is stick your mail in it and put the little red flag up. The mailman comes and takes your mail for you while leaving you your mail. This is easier for both the postal carrier and the postal patron. The mailbox also protects your mail from the elements such as rain and snow.
If you are a homeowner you are responsible for providing your own mailbox. Some homes have their mailboxes on their house, while others are at the curb. Not every street is the same on placement of mailboxes. Some streets have mailboxes on both sides of the street, while others have them on only one side. The placement of your mailbox just depends on where you live.
When installing your mailbox you need to make sure you adhere to certain specifications. A few standard rules about mailboxes is their height. Curbside mailboxes usually need to be between 42 inches and 46 inches from the curb. This height gives the mail carrier easy access to your mailbox from the mail truck. You should also make sure that your address is on the flag side of the mailbox and uses one inch numbers that are easy to read. You also want to make sure that there is nothing obstructing the path to your mailbox such as a car, or you may not get your mail delivered on that particular day.
People who live in apartment complexes do not have personal mailboxes outside, instead one is provided for them. Most apartment complexes have a spot inside where each person has their own box with a key. The postal carrier comes in and leaves each persons mail in their own box. With this type of mailbox you can not leave your outgoing mail in your box. Most apartments do have a place to put your outgoing mail though so that the postal carrier will still be able to pick it up.
Another option you have is to set up a PO Box at your local post office. Some smaller towns use only PO boxes instead of having mailboxes at each house. This type of mail box also requires you to have a key to get in your little box at the post office. This is not as convenient as having your mailbox at the curb because you have to go to the post office to get your mail. You also have to go to the post office to drop any outgoing mail. One advantage is that it is easier for the postal carrier to distribute the mail; this is probably why small towns utilize this form of mailboxes.
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