Mailbox Alert System

In bad weather or when my arthritis is acting up, walking down our long driveway to see whether the mail has come yet is no fun (especially if it hasn’t). My solution was to buy a “driveway wireless alert system” ($20 at online retailers). I mounted the sensor module in the back of the mailbox and the receiver module in our living room. When the mailman opens the mailbox door, inserts the mail and closes the door, the chime goes off. No more unnecessary trips. — Roy T. Stenger

Postal carriers see unusual things every day and can even help prevent thefts in the neighborhood, find out how.