INDIANA, (WOWO): As bitter cold temperatures return to Indiana, Postal Service officials are asking customers to help letter carriers deliver mail safely by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes.

“Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow,” said Greater Indiana District Manager Larry Diegel. “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box — including steps, porches, walkways and street approach — will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service, and help them get the mail delivered.”

Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear as well. In addition, customers receiving curbside delivery should remove snow piles left by snow plows.

Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes.

“The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort,” said Diegel. “Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.”