Community service

How Carrier Alert works

...a lifeline as close as your mailbox 

Carrier Alert PatronIf living alone worries you, the Carrier Alert program can offer you the comfort of knowing that someone who visits your home regularly can call for help if you need it. The free service has been developed especially for older adults and the homebound—people who may have difficulty reaching vital services because of an accident or sudden illness. Check with your local post office to see if Carrier Alert is offered in your neighborhood.

Here's how it works:

  1. Interested postal patrons register to participate in the program. Your local postmaster can give you more details on registration.
  2. Your letter carrier will be authorized to place a Carrier Alert symbol in your mailbox which will alert all letter carriers to watch your mail for any signs of distress such as an unusual accumulation.
  3. If your letter carrier finds an accumulation of mail, and you have not covered the sticker to signal that you will be away for a few days, he or she will notify the agency where you are registered or report your name to the postal supervisor who will report it to the agency.
  4. The social service agency will then try to contact you by phone. If you cannot be reached, the agency personnel will try to contact a friend or relative whom you have listed as a contact in the event of an emergency.
  5. If a friend or a relative cannot be reached, the social service agency will send a worker to your home to check on your health and well-being.

Carrier Alert Documents