The design of outdoor mailboxes have remained fairly constant over the past 100 years, despite the changes in the way information travels. Individuals receive many correspondences through the mail that are filled with personal information such as bank account numbers, health records or credit card info. While in most situations, this information would be kept under lock and key, mail is often left unsecured in outdoor mailboxes, easily accessible to the public. To most people, the security of their mail isn't even an afterthought. To that end, all of their personal information, from bank statements to tax information, is an easy target for individuals bent on getting it. When you consider that identity theft accounts for losses close to one billion dollars each year, metal mailboxes no longer seem an excessive protection Although it may seem like an extreme solution to use metal mailboxes, not all metal mailboxes are built the same and not all of them are convenient to use. In fact, most people probably picture large metallic contraptions built with a heavy cement base. Although these designs can keep your mail safe, they do little in the way of dcor or ease of use. Another problem is that life isn't easy for your average roadside mailbox. Besides being the target of attempted vandalism, the lack of visibility makes these small and exposed containers perfect targets. In many areas of the country, such problems have lead to the building of brick and masonry mailboxes. Unfortunately, many citizens are unaware of the rules governing such constructions. For example, it is often required that masonry mailboxes be at least 10 feet from the roadway or road right of way. A distance shorter than this can be considered a serious traffic hazard. Those who violate such laws can find themselves faced with fines and the cost of removing their masonry mailboxes. |
