With the Christmas holiday season in full swing, things are starting to get busy at the local post offices. The post office workers in Moapa Valley have are working hard making sure that every sleigh is ready to go this holiday season.
But there are some shipping tips that they have shared for postal customers that might help your holidays come off without a snag. Here are a number of ideas on how to safely box a package to increase the likelihood that it arrives to its destination completely intact.
•Select a sturdy box that is strong enough to protect the contents. If you are reusing a box, totally remove or obliterate all previous labels and markings with heavy black marker. The Post Office provides free Priority Mail boxes in a variety of sizes.
• If you mail heavy items, make sure to use a sturdy box with heavy packing tape and no content shifting.
• Place cushioning all around your item until you cannot hear the item move inside when you shake it. Use newspaper to stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.
• Remove batteries from toys and electronics. Wrap and place batteries next to the items in the mailing box. Keep new batteries in the original packaging.
• Use the proper address. Don’t guess. To find the correct spelling of a city name and state abbreviation or to find a ZIP code, visit www.usps.com.
• Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex. 123 S Main St. Apt. 2B)
•Include both “to” and “from” information on packages – and only on one side.
• Place a card inside the package that contains the delivery and return address. This ensures the package can be delivered or returned should the mailing label become damaged or fall off.
• Mark your packages “Fragile” if they can break. Mark food items as “Perishable.”
• Don’t use twine around your box. Use high quality 2-inch packaging tape.
• You can pay for postage and print your postage at home using Click N Ship at usps.com.
• Drop off packages at your local Post Office.
For a video on preparing a package for shipping go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4xGpzn2s5k.
