'Tis the season

Get holiday gifts in the mail today

By KENDRA ZAMZOW-Special to the Frontiersman

One week until Christmas, and now it is really time to panic about whether the moose hide slippers are going to make it to Uncle Charlie in Wisconsin.

Most of us go through this every year -- the last-minute rush, the lines at the post office, wondering if second-day air really gets a package where it's going in two days. This year some people may feel additional tension -- are post offices taking measures to protect the public from possible anthrax or bomb scares, and if so, will this slow the mail down?

Nancy Schmitt, public information specialist for the U.S. Post Office, said mail delivery has slowed down somewhat due to heightened security. All suspicious mail is examined thoroughly. Suspicious mail includes letters and packages with no return address, odd-shaped parcels and leaking or stained packages.

To make sure your package gets where it is going on time, she recommended sending priority and second-day air packages by today, Dec. 18, and express mail by Dec. 20. Right now, they cannot guarantee second-day air will get your package to its destination in two days.

To help speed your package along the way, post office officials recommend the following:

Print addresses clearly.

Include both "To" and "From" addresses.

Never guess a zip code. No zip code is better than the wrong one. If you don't know the zip, you can look it up in a book at the post office, or call (800) ASK-USPS.

Check the weight of your box as well. After Sept. 11, the Federal Aviation Administration decided that no packages more than 16 ounces could go by commercial jet, but will be sent by chartered plane instead. Packages of 16 ounces or more should be taken to the post office, and not left in the neighborhood mailbox.

Other suggestions from the U.S. Post Office --

Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.

Do not use wrapping paper.

Place an index card inside the package containing the recipient's address and a list of the contents, in case it needs to be repacked.

Those who want additional help in packaging and mailing gifts may want to contact a private company such as Mailboxes Etc.

"We're here to eliminate as much of the stress from the holiday season as possible," said Stacie Stigar, who owns the Mailboxes Etc. branch in Palmer.

"We expect the week of Dec. 17 will be very busy. We can accept packages as late as Saturday, Dec. 22, for delivery on Monday Dec. 24," she said.

Shipping and packaging stores stores around the Valley are offering extended hours during the holidays.

Palmer and Wasilla post offices are open until 5:30 pm, and Wasilla is open for package pickup until 6 p.m. They will also be open Saturday, Dec. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to mailing packages, Valley residents are busy picking up gifts coming in from around the country. If you receive a suspicious package, the State of Alaska Section of Epidemiology has some suggestions.

-- If you receive a suspicious letter or package and there is no threatening message or visible powder, place the item in two plastic bags, wash your hands and face with soap and water and notify local law enforcement officers.

-- If you open a package that contains a powder, do not clean the powder up.

Cover the spilled contents immediately with anything, evacuate the room and close the door and notify police.

Do not brush your clothes off. Remove them as soon as possible and put them in plastic bags to give to emergency responder, then shower.

Try to make a list of anyone else who may have come in contact with the powder.