U.S. Postal Service highlights safety tips to pet owners during holidays
The U.S. Postal Service is ready to deliver more than 15 billion pieces of mail this holiday season plus more than 900 million packages.
The Postal Service wants to ensure each customer receives their mail in a timely and efficient manner and also keep its letter carriers safe.
"With the surge in package delivery this time of year, the potential for dog attacks rises too," said Postal Service Spokesperson Sean Hargadon.
To help letter carriers deliver the mail, the Postal Service is highlighting these safety tips to pet owners:
• If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door.
• Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured.
• Please make sure your dog is contained during the hours the letter carrier may be in your neighborhood.
• Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from letter carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the letter carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
"Practicing these safety tips will help ensure a safe and happy holiday season for everyone," added Hargadon.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.