Not only do mail carriers have to worry about being chased by dogs, but now they need to worry about making their getaway — on icy sidewalks.

Joel Packer, postmaster of Austin Post Office, said icy, snowy sidewalks and driveways are a major concern for mail carriers in the winter months. With the fresh, record-breaking snowfall from last weekend, safety is becoming more important than ever.

“Every winter brings the ice and the inevitable fall,” Packer said. “We provide spikes (for mail carriers) to wear on their feet … but it slows everything down with the snow we’ve had.”

Packer said there have been no falls or injuries reported yet this year, but customers need to be aware that icy walkways are a concern and a hazard for mail carriers.

Rural routes need to be kept tidy, as well. Packer said it’s important that routes to and from mailboxes be cleared so rural carriers don’t have to pull into the driveway for access and back out into traffic, which can be hazardous to the carrier and to the vehicle in slippery or snowy conditions.

Packer also said painted wooden steps become very slippery if they are covered with snow, so patrons with similar steps should take extra caution when clearing ice or snow.

“We appreciate the customers’ hard work,” he said. “We’re all in this together. It’s going to be a long, hard winter and if people don’t start (clearing pathways) with this first snowfall it’s just going to get worse and worse.”