Does The Position of a Letterbox Matter?
As Scottish Ministers debate whether to ban low-level letterboxes, you might be wondering whether this is an issue worth their consideration. However, there is already a European Standard governing the position of letterboxes, so why is this?
The Position of Letterboxes Impacts the Health of Posties
On a postal round, the majority of letterboxes will be positioned at a height where mail can be delivered ease. However, in some households, the letterbox is found towards the base of the door. This means that the postie has to bend down to make the delivery. Unfortunately, bending whilst carrying a weighty bag puts strain on the back. What’s more, posties report a higher risk of being bitten by dogs when the letterbox is at the base of a door.
Back in 1958, low-level letterboxes were identified as a risk to the health of postal workers and a cause of back pain. The Communications Workers Union raised the issue with the Government at the time, but the position of a letterbox has not been regulated by law in the UK. Is this about to change?
Scottish Ban on Letterboxes
Scottish Ministers are now considering following the European Standard which was introduced as a health and safety measure. This determines that the minimum height for letterboxes is 70cm from ground level, so mail can be delivered without bending down.
However, there is awareness that changes to the law would result in an added cost to households. Therefore, it has been decided that any new laws will only apply to new builds and door replacements. People with existing low-level letterboxes will not be required to make alterations.
Should All Through-the-door Letterboxes Be Banned?
What we’d like to actively encourage is the end of through-the-door letterboxes in new builds and door replacements. These holes in the door go against measures to make homes more energy-efficient and secure. So, why not keep the door solid and install an external post box instead?
Why Install an External Post Box?
An external post box offers a secure, lockable hold that can be wall mounted next to the front door. This weather-resistant solution will not allow warm air out or cold air into your home. What’s more, there is no risk of criminals using the gap in your door to fish for keys and other valuables.
If you do have a dog, your postie will feel safer delivering mail into an external wall mounted post box. And, there is no risk that an important letter will be chewed by the time you get home!
In addition, to wall-mounted lockable post boxes, there are through-the-gate and freestanding models. These can be installed on the perimeter of your home, in the ideal position for ease of delivery. Equally, you may find that an external parcel drop box is a better fit for your requirements. That’s because many households now receive as many packages as letters.
UK Supplier of Post Boxes for Home
As a specialist in European designed and manufacturer letterboxes, we offer a selection of sizes, styles and fittings to ensure you can find the ideal solution. Our quality range meets European design standards. Each model is supplied with a warranty, two keys and a basic installation kit as standard.
Contact us if you are a building developer who would like to discuss alternatives to through-the-door letterboxes for your latest projects. To optimise convenience, we can supply multiple units directly to the site, ready for installation.