| There's a reason why the Post Office uses | | | | mailbox to look good, and to function |
| those big locking mailboxes with the locking | | | | properly for years. You also want the mail |
| compartment on the bottom. It's the same | | | | box to resist attempts to gain entry.-- |
| reason you should, too.They do it so people | | | | Deadbolt locks. Deadbolts are much harder to |
| with bad intentions don't steal the | | | | both pick and pop open than are cheaper |
| mail.Identity theft is big business-- both | | | | spring-type locks.-- Seperate mechanism for |
| doing it and preventing it.There are two | | | | outbound mail. Often this is a clip attached |
| things, however, which will go a long way to | | | | to the outside door box.Locking mail boxes |
| preventing your vital information from | | | | can either mount on a post, a wall or even |
| falling into the wrong hands. A paper | | | | built into a pier or pillar to match your |
| shredder, preferably a cross-cut model. And a | | | | home's architecture.Locks run the gamut, from |
| secure, not just locking, mail box.So what | | | | cheap spring locks to keypad activated |
| should you look for when you shop for a | | | | deadbolts.There are enough colors and styles |
| secure locking mailbox?-- A large drop chute | | | | available to enable almost anyone to enjoy |
| with an angled design. Mail should drop into | | | | mail security without robbing from curb |
| a locked box, where it can wait safely for | | | | appeal.Identity thieves are like all other |
| you to retrieve it. This allows large | | | | crooks. They look for the easy pickings. Take |
| envelopes and magazines to fall out of the | | | | yourself out of that group by buying and |
| reach of sticky fingers.-- Plenty of storage | | | | installing a truly secure locking mailbox |
| room. You want to be able to leave for a few | | | | soon.John McCabe writes for Hearth & Home, a |
| days without having your mail fill the box | | | | collection of home improvement articles and |
| and stick out the mail slot. A locking mail | | | | resources to make your home more secure, |
| box with envelopes sticking out defeats the | | | | valuable and fun. Hearth & Home is part of |
| purpose.-- Sturdy construction. You want your | | | | the Web Guides Network. |