The red thing on the side of a curbside mailbox is a carrier signal flag. You raise it up when you have outgoing mail, and the postal carrier will lower it after collecting your items.
The red flag on a curbside mailbox is a carrier signal flag used to indicate that you have placed outgoing mail inside and need your mail carrier to pick it up.
A red flag on a mailbox, also known as a carrier signal flag, indicates to mail carriers that there is mail to be picked up.
the red flag on your mailbox. is an indicator to the mail carrier. that there is mail in your mailbox. to take back to the post office.
That feature on the side of a curbside mailbox is officially called a carrier signal flag, or simply a mailbox flag.
You might find a dryer sheet in your mailbox because your mail carrier placed it there to deter stinging insects like wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets from building nests inside. The strong aromatic fragrance of the sheet acts as an effective, non-toxic repellent that keeps pests out and protects the carrier from painful stings when reaching inside.
Letter carriers can pick up mail as they make their deliveries if the flag is up. However, carriers are not required to check mailboxes for outgoing mail that do not have flags up if they do not have deliveries for that address that day. It falls within the size and weight restrictions of the class.
Can police ask me for permission to search my mail? With your voluntary consent, police can search your mail without a warrant. In the early 1970s, California ruled that if consent to a search is voluntarily given, the Fourth Amendment does not apply, according to Oyez, a multimedia archive for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Thieves with stolen postal keys loot the locked, blue collection mailboxes which are usually stationed outside of post officers or in residential public spaces. Once inside the mailbox thieves target letters with checks or money orders, altering them to steal from personal and business accounts.
No, mailbox flags do not have to be red. While red is the most common and traditional color, the United States Postal Service (USPS) allows them to be almost any color, provided they are not white, green, yellow, brown, or blue.
Depending on the context, a red dot could indicate a house is for sale, has a specific religious significance, is part of a no-trespassing effort, or is even a symbol of welcome or protection.
To stop mailbox theft, immediately retrieve your incoming mail and switch to digital alternatives like USPS Informed Delivery to monitor what is arriving daily. To build a comprehensive defense, combine smart habits with physical security and digital tools.
As shown in each figure, the flag must be mounted on the right side when facing the mailbox from the front. The flag must not require a lift or more than 2 pounds of force to retract. Additionally, when actuated (signaling out-going mail) the flag must remain in position until retracted by the carrier.
Modern usage: While not as prevalent today, people may still choose to display a black ribbon on their door to announce a death in the family or to show solidarity in the face of a major tragedy. “ Grief is only love, that's got no place to go.”
A green/yellow sticker on a mailbox could indicate that a dog at a neighboring property poses a risk.
For police, holding up 4 fingers generally means "Code 4," which is law enforcement shorthand for "no further assistance needed," "everything is secure," or "all clear."
Yes. Under federal law, it's a crime to intentionally open or destroy mail not addressed to you. Even if it was delivered to your home, you're not allowed to open it unless you have permission from the recipient.
The most common trick questions police ask, particularly during traffic stops, are designed to get you to unknowingly incriminate yourself. The most infamous example is, "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
As of May 22, 2026, the average annual pay for a Senior Mail Carrier in the United States is $80,287 a year.
To request door delivery, you need to submit PS Form 1528, Request For Exception To Current/Proposed Delivery Mode Due To Physical Hardship and the required documentation, including a statement from a doctor. The doctor's statement should indicate you are unable to collect your mail from a curb or centralized mailbox.
United States Flag Etiquette
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
Pick up dust and hair
All you need is a normal dryer sheet. Run it over any part of your toilet that has unwanted dust, hair or debris. The sheet picks up all that loose stuff in a flash. No more having to go back two or three times while your towel or cloth just pushes it around.
Ants frequently invade mailboxes for three main reasons: weather, nesting, and food.
To keep bugs out of your mailbox, place a scented dryer sheet (such as Bounce) in the back corner, use cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, or hang a small mesh bag of mothballs. These methods repel spiders, ants, and wasps with scents they dislike.