The United States Postal Service (USPS) delivers more than 600 million mails each day. Delivering mails to different locations can be dangerous. Postal carriers should make sure that they take necessary precautions while delivering mails.

Here are some tips that can ensure that postal delivery persons stay completely safe on the job.

1. Inspect Vehicle Before Every Trip

Postal workers should carry on a pre-trip inspection of their vehicles. This is essential to ensure that they remain safe on the road. Before hitting the gas pedal, you should do a hand-on inspection of the vehicle. Important things to check during the inspection include tires, fluid, wiper blades, and light. Make sure to get the vehicle tuned by the mechanic at the start of winter season. Also, you should carry a spare tire and inspect it before the start of the delivery trip.

2. Keep Emergency Items

Another important tip to stay safe on the job is to keep emergency items with you. There is no knowing when you could face an emergency. Some of the emergency items that you should keep with you when delivering include the following.

• A flashlight
• A blanket
• A windshield scraper and extra washer fluid
• A bag of salt or sand
• Jumper cables
• Traction mats or tire chains

Apart from the above tips, you should keep with you a half tank of gas at all times with you. Make sure that you plan long trips carefully and prepare for any emergencies.

3. Remain Wary of Black Ice

Black ice refers to transparent ice sheets that form when the temperature rises above freezing or the sun shines during the day in winters. This is because snow on the roads melts and causes the surface to become really wet. This is a dangerous road condition that can make the car skid off the road. You should consider looking for signs such as ice build-up on the antenna, mirror arms, or the top corners of the windshield. Drive slowly and carefully in case of a build-up of ice on the road to keep safe.

4. Stay Inside the Vehicle if Stuck

If you are stranded on the road due to a blizzard or storm, and there is no place to seek shelter, you should stay inside the vehicle. You may lose your way and get lost if you get off the vehicle to seek assistance. This is the time that the emergency supplies will be of help. In addition, make sure that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and the window is open slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Run the engine for about fifteen minutes every hour to ensure that it remains warm.

The United States postal service job offers various perks and benefits. Postal carriers can enjoy the additional benefit of independence while performing the job. They can plan their own route and deliver mails accordingly. However, it's important to take safety precautions to stay safe while on the road.