Today is the busiest mailing day of the year

Today is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for the U.S. Postal Service. Salt Lake's main post office expects to handle about 2 million packages and letters today.

In the main sorting area, machines of all kinds move items to their designated bins. Automation has made a difference for this busy Monday.

One of the biggest mistake people make when mailing those Christmas cards or gifts is not putting on the right address or zip code on the envelope or box.

The post office says to double check that before ever leaving the house.

Here are a few other tips from the postal service:

• When preparing your package for mailing, use a strong, sturdy box, available at Post Offices.
• Never guess at a ZIP Code -- Find ZIP Codes online at usps.com or by phone at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
• Package the contents of your parcel tightly and securely; using newspaper, bubble wrap or other cushioning available at your Post Office. Package cookies, fruitcake, and food items in leak-proof containers or secure protective wrapping.
• Seal your package with strong, reinforced packing tape. Do NOT use paper or string on the outside of the package. They can get tangled in mail processing equipment.
• Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or go online at usps.com, to get the holiday customer service hours of local Post Offices, purchase holiday stamps, print postage-paid mailing labels, request a Free Package Pickup, check rates, and more.
• Print addresses clearly. Include all address elements, including apartment numbers, suite numbers, and directional information. Print return address in the upper left corner.
• The best time for taking your packages directly to the Post Office for mailing is mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
• Package senders are encouraged to purchase Delivery Confirmation service and Insurance.
• Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.

Ron Hubrich, consumer public affairs for the United States Postal Service, says, "We don't want anything going off, noise, shaking, anything like that. That's not good for a package for obvious reasons, security reasons mostly."

Now, starting today through Saturday the post office is encouraging customers to use Priority Mail, but after that the post office says use Express Mail through Dec. 23 for those last minute packages.

Hubrich says, "If I were someone wanting to get a package out, I would get it out this week just to make sure it arrived. There is a lot of weather across the country that could delay that, that we really have no control over, so obviously the earlier the better."

If you can't make it to the post office during regular business hours, the automated postal centers are available 24-7.

Luana Thorup was shipping a Christmas gift to Cincinnati, Ohio, this morning and used the system for the first time. She says, "Now that I know how to use it, I'll use it in the future."

Shelly Barclay, a retail associate with the United States Postal Service, says, "People are fearful of these, and there is no reason to be. It's very simple."

There are 29 Automatic Postal Centers in the state and you can do just about everything a postal employee would do as long as it fits in the parcel drop.

1. Air Mail Facility, 320 N. 3700 W, Salt Lake City
2. Alta Canyon Station, 9265 S. Highland Dr., Sandy
3. American Fork, 55 N. Merchant St., American Fork
4. Ben Lomond Station, 221 N. Washington Blvd., Ogden
5. Bountiful, 20 S. Main St., Bountiful
6. Cottonwood Branch, 6890 S. 2300 E., Salt Lake City
7. Downtown Station, 230 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City
8. Draper, 12180 S. 300 E., Draper
9. Provo East Bay, 936 S. 250 E., Provo
10. Foothill Station, 2255 Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City
11. Kearns Branch, 5495 S. 4015 W., Salt Lake City
12. Layton, 1123 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton
13. Logan, 75 W. 200 N., Logan
14. Millcreek Branch, 3350 S. 2940 E., Salt Lake City
15. Mount Ogden Station, 1145 E. 4600 S., Ogden
16. Mountain Shadow Station, 877 E. 1200 S., Orem
17. Murray Branch, 4989 S. State St., Salt Lake City
18. Orem, 222 W. Center St., Orem
19. Provo Main Office, 95 W. 100 S., Provo
20. Red Rocks Station, 1150 E. Riverside Dr., St. George
21. Roy, 4879 S. 1900 W., Roy
22. Salt Lake City MPO, 1760 W. 2100 S., Salt Lake City
23. Sandy MPO, 8850 S. 700 E., Sandy
24. South Jordan, 10102B Redwood Rd., South Jordan
25. St. George, 180 N. Main St., St. George
26. Sugarhouse Station, 1953 S. 1100 E., Salt Lake City
27. West Jordan, 7901 S. 3200 W., West Jordan
28. West Valley Branch, 3490 S. 4400 W., Salt Lake City The following Utah Post Offices will be extending hours on Saturday, Dec 13 and Dec. 20:

• Ogden Main Post Office (3680 Pacific Ave.) - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Provo Main (95 W. 100 S.) - 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• St. George Red Rocks (1150 E. Riverside Drive) - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following Salt Lake City Post Offices will maintain their regular scheduled extended Saturday hours: - Foothill Station (2255 Sunnyside Ave) 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Murray Station (4989 State Street) 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hubrich says so far this year, the post office hasn't seen much difference in package volume, even with the decline in the economy.

Nationwide, Wednesday is expected to be the busiest delivery day.

E-mail: spark@ksl.com
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com

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