Prevent Identity Theft and Mailbox Vandalism
Posted: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
by Jane Hercules
http://www.lockthemailbox.com
To prevent their mailboxes from the constant vandalism, many owners of country mailboxes are making the switch to steel locking security mailboxes. Of those offered today, some are constructed of galvanized aluminum. The very heaviest vandal proof ones are constructed of ¼ inch thick steel which is a 2 gauge thickness.
People who have decided to research more secure mailboxes, are finding locking inserts for their existing mailboxes. These inserts will not prevent vandalism. Steel locking mailboxes are currently being advertised as secure and vandal proof; yet some of them are a thin 14 gauge steel. or an even thinner 16 gauge steel construction. The strongest is a collection of mailboxes which are constructed of a 1/4" steel shell which is 2 gauge and is the strongest, thickest of all mailboxes.
14 gauge sounds thicker than 1/4 inch. Actually 1/4 inch is thicker than 14 gauge and is a 2 gauge thickness. 16 gauge also is not nearly as thick and strong as 2 gauge steel. What this means for owners of country mailboxes which are frequently vandalized is that the thicker the steel construction, the better is the solution to ever having a mailbox damaged again.
There a many mailboxes advertised on the internet today which are really cute; but they simply do not prevent mailbox vandalism.
One may find decorative brass or copper mailboxes for mounting on the porch wall. There are even wooden mailboxes painted with artistic scenes or customized logos. People are definitely finding that the traditional tin and plastic curbside mailboxes are too easily damaged by weather and by vandals and so are seeking better options. Some gardening stores display mailbox add-ons with cows and dogs and even lighthouses to adorn the tops of traditional mailboxes.
The mailbox vandal, if he knows his business, will approach his target prepared to compromise it if necessary either to get his kicks or to steal personal information contained in the mail. He or she will bash the box to bits or steal the box and there goes the mail and any personal information contained in it. Bashing most locking mailboxes is so easy to do you could do it yourself and the lock doesn't even matter.
If the mailbox can be carried off or compromised in any way, it absolutely does not deter a determined thief or vandal. So what is the solution to this mailbox vandalism? It is simply a mailbox which is locked and strong enough to take any beating.
Locking mailboxes vary in their types of locks. The ones that cannot be lock picked are tubular. This means that they are not like the ones you find on padlocks or entrance doors or for many cluster mailboxes used at apartment complexes. Because tubular locks are absolutely secure, the owner is the only one who can retrieve the mail.
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