8 Ways to Make Life Easier for Holiday Delivery Drivers

Delivery drivers are the unsung heroes of the holiday season. These men and women ensure that the packages we send to loved ones arrive safely at their destinations—and the packages they send to us appear on our doorsteps in pristine condition. It almost seems to happen by magic.

But there’s no magic involved—just the hard work of delivery drivers. The average delivery driver’s workload will double or even triple during the holiday season. In fact, they may be making upwards of 200 deliveries a day! These are long, labor-intensive days and the work can be dangerous when you consider winter weather and holiday traffic.

You can help make your delivery driver’s life a bit easier this holiday season, by following these 8 simple tips.

1. Light Up: If you have outside lights, turn them on as soon as the sun starts to set. This saves the driver from fumbling around in the dark, or trying to carry your package and a flashlight at the same time.
2. Be Home: Double check to see if your delivery will require a signature (not all do). If so, then make sure you or another adult over the age of 18 is home to sign for the package. Otherwise, the driver will have to return the next day and the next until you can sign for it.
3. Get Salty: Clear your walkway and stairs of any snow or ice and use plenty of salt to keep the path to your door clear. The last thing you want is for the driver to slip on a patch of ice and get hurt.
4. Pack Parcels Promptly: If you have a parcel to be collected, then make sure it’s properly packaged, labeled, and waiting on your doorstep for easy pick up by the driver. Every minute a driver has to wait for the package to be prepared is a minute he or she falls behind their schedule.
5. Show Your Numbers: One of a driver’s biggest frustrations is not being able to see house numbers clearly from the street. Make sure your house number isn’t covered up by shrubs or decorations. You also want to be sure it can be easily seen at nighttime. Consider purchasing new, easier-to-see house numbers at your local hardware store if needed.
6. Give Goodies: Whether it’s homemade cookies, muffins, or some hot chocolate or coffee to go, any driver is guaranteed to feel appreciated when you send them on their way with a warm and tasty treat. Just be sure not to offer any alcoholic beverages, for obvious reasons.
7. Know Apartment Etiquette: If you live in an apartment building, make sure the driver knows the code to enter the building as well as your apartment number so he or she doesn’t have to search through a directory to find you. Better yet, if you know the approximate time the driver will be arriving, meet them at the building’s entrance.
8. Keep the Dogs at Bay: Make sure your dog, no matter how friendly, is kept safely away as you interact with your delivery driver. Sure, Fido may be super-friendly, but the driver doesn’t know that, and the presence of a dog may make him or her nervous.

With the holiday season upon us, millions of people across the country will be sending and receiving packages of all shapes and sizes. Without deliver drivers, where would we be? It just takes a few simple actions to show your delivery driver that you care about their safety and appreciate their work.

Is your business in need of a trusted courier? Contact Econo-Courier today to speak with a friendly member of the staff about your delivery needs. The office can be reached at 800-526-9094.