Royal Mail shares ‘ten-minute rule’ to protect postal workers

Royal Mail has issued important safety advice for dog owners to protect postal workers during the busy Christmas delivery period

With Christmas fast approaching, Royal Mail staff and postal workers are entering one of their busiest periods. Between festive cards and eleventh-hour gift deliveries, households across the country will be receiving plenty of parcels in the weeks ahead.

For those with pets at home, taking safety measures before postal workers call is crucial to protect both the delivery staff and your animal. The Royal Mail website highlights an important point: “Even the most lovable dog can be a danger to postal workers”.

The organisation explains: ” Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable.”

Consequently, the postal service has encouraged pet owners to follow a key guideline, ensuring dogs are safely secured away before deliveries arrive.

Helpfully, Royal Mail has outlined several straightforward recommendations for homeowners to follow, making the process easier whilst safeguarding postal staff. First and foremost, dog owners should ensure their pet is contained before anyone approaches the door, reports the Mirror.

“Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or postwoman arrives,” the guidance states. “Place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room,” Royal Mail advised.

“Never open the door when your dog is behind you.”

The delivery organisation elaborated: “Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.”

Dog owners are advised to distract their pets with a toy or food during mail delivery and wait for ten minutes before allowing the dog back into the hallway.

“Wait ten minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway”, Royal Mail suggested, emphasising the importance of maintaining a calm and low-key environment.

Royal Mail’s website also provides a downloadable customer postcard that can be displayed in windows, alerting visitors of a dog on the premises and requesting patience while the owner secures the pet before opening the door.

While these suggestions may prove beneficial for some, not all homeowners might find it feasible to keep their dogs away from the door during mail delivery. In such cases, Royal Mail recommends considering the installation of a mailbox.

The guidance elaborates: “If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman’s or postwoman’s fingers. If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.”