Lower Windsor Township shared this on Savvy Citizen

Lower Windsor Township reminds homeowners to prepare mailboxes for winter. Snow that is thrown from plows can damage mailboxes if they are not properly prepared and secured. A properly secured and located mailbox should be able to withstand the force of snow thrown from a plow, even in the worst conditions. Mailboxes should be placed as far from the edge of the road as possible yet still in reach of a mail carrier from a vehicle. Mailboxes are normally placed within the Township’s legal right-of-way however, mailbox damage due to snow and not hit directly by the plow or truck is the homeowner’s responsibility.

Here are a few tips to help reduce mailbox damage:

• Place reflective tape on the mailbox to help operators see them at night.
• When removing snow from around the mailbox, throw snow behind it and not to the sides.
• Make sure the post is in good condition and the box is fastened securely to the post

• If damage was experienced in the past, reconsider the positioning and structure before winter.

For those who follow these tips and still find themselves with a damaged mailbox, they may want to consider a cantilever mailbox support that can swing a mailbox out of harm’s way.  Plans for such a mailbox are available on PennDOT’s website,  https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/traveling-in-pa/winter

Homeowners who have followed these tips in the past and have still experienced damaged mailboxes may wish to consider installing a cantilevered mailbox support that will swing a mailbox out of harm's way.