Watch CBS News

City Postmaster Offers Advice For Mailing Items During Holidays

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The United States Postal Service was founded in 1775. Now, more than 235 years later, the Postal Service is still trying to get the word out on the do's and don'ts of mailing packages for the holidays.

"We have some of our customers that are still using first names only. The addressing, they don't really pin it down to a legitimate address," Pittsburgh City postmaster Joseph Meimann said.

When you are dealing with hundreds of millions of pieces of mail every day, you can see how that is a big problem. However, something as simple as how the package is wrapped can also cause problems.

"First of all the twine on the package is not recommended at all. The wrapping paper is not recommended at all," Meimann said

Both can get tangled in automated processing equipment and could damage the package and what you are sending. Also, take one extra step if you are shipping electronics.

"We have vibrations in there. We have ticking in there. So, I recommend taking the batteries out. Wrap them separately and that will help us also," Meimann said

A quick trip online to USPS.com is one final suggestion

"If you do it online with click and ship, delivery confirmation so you can track your pieces, is a free service where normally we charge 85 cents for it. So again, by going online using that capability - huge savings and also you save money with free boxes," Meimann said

RELATED LINKS

More Local News
More Reports From Rick Dayton
USPS

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.