Mailbox Accessories

There are many types of mailbox accessories in the market today; products range from decorative mailbox covers to lights and locks. There are also many online merchants that provide quality accessories for your mailbox.

Your personal style speaks volumes about who you are so it’s just natural that your style should reflect in the way you decorate your mailbox.  Your mailbox should be decorative as well as function and should make a statement about your unique personal style. Check out Amazon for a large selection of mailbox accessories.

Below are some of the popular mailbox accessories that you can purchase online.

Mailbox Covers

Mailbox covers are versatile and available in various themes for all seasons. Because they are magnetic, they can quickly and easily be placed on or removed from your mailbox. Many are even fade resistant. And the best part… they help to liven up an aging mailbox!

Mailbox Flags

You can signal the mail carrier to pick up your outgoing mail by using an upright red flag on your mailbox.  Once the mail carriers pick up the out-going mail, they lower the flag.  You might even like to spruce up your mailbox by trading in their standard red flag for something which more reflects your personality.

Mail Alert Systems

A mail alert system that signals mail has arrived so that there is no more guessing when to go check your mailbox for new mail.  These systems come in really handy when you have to walk a long way in cold and wet weather to your mailbox.

There are a couple of different types of mail alert systems.  Mechanical mail alerts usually use a flag to indicate that the mailbox has been opened for new mail. An electronic alert system will usually alert you through with a chime being played, an email or even a text message indicating mail has been delivered.   All of these will work perfectly with your existing, outgoing mailbox flag.

Mailbox Locks

Identity theft is rampant everywhere. Nobody is safe from this growing issue. You can install locks on an existing mailbox to protect your mail while you are away from your home and to also help curtail identity theft. Also, many mailboxes are available with a built-in locking mechanism. 

If your mailbox is not equipped with a lock (which most residential wall-mounted and novelty mailboxes are not), you can purchase one from several online sources.  Locks can be installed on both post and wall mounted mailboxes.

Newspaper Holder

Newspaper holders or receptacles are also another favorite add-ons for post-mounted mailboxes. The U.S. Postal Services allows the attachment of these devices as long as it does not interfere with the delivery of the mail or obstruct the view of the mailbox flag.

Make sure that the holder you purchase does not extend beyond the front of the mailbox when the door is closed (as per 2.11 od DO41 of Customer Receptacle provided by the USPS). For many wall-mounted boxes, the newspaper holder and mailbox are all one piece and are exempt from the U.S. Postal Service code.

Mailbox Address Plaques

Another accessory available for mailboxes is address plaques. Decorative plaques prominently displaying your street address adds style and character to any mailbox. 

Many plaques come with hardware for easy mounting to most plastic and metal mailboxes.  Your plaque should be made from a rust-free material and weather-resistant.  Some plaques are elaborately engraved and others are illuminated for easy nighttime viewing from a distance.