Every day, our mailboxes bring us a mix of surprises. Sometimes it's the dreaded bills, other times it's delightful letters from old friends or unexpected checks. But none of this would be possible without our dedicated postal workers who brave all kinds of weather and even face some four-legged dangers. Did you know that last year alone, 5,300 mail carriers were bitten by dogs?
To keep their hardworking employees safe, the USPS has rolled out a clever initiative called The Paw Program. Launched in 2020 and now spreading across the country, this program uses a color-coded sticker system to alert mail carriers about houses with dogs. If there's an orange paw sticker on your mailbox, it means there's a dog at your home. Even if you don't have a pet, you could still see a yellow paw sticker, which signals a doggie neighbor.
The best part? The Postal Service makes sure everyone's clued in. When they place a sticker on your mailbox, they also drop a card inside explaining what each sticker means.
Remember, these stickers are important, even if you feel your dog wouldn't hurt a fly. Linda DeCarlo, USPS Occupational Safety and Health Senior Director, reminds us that even the sweetest dogs can sometimes react unpredictably. So let's do our part in helping our mail carriers stay safe as they deliver our daily surprises!