Holiday Lighting at Mail Kiosks: Keep It Festive—and Compliant

Holiday lighting at community mail kiosks looks great—until it blocks tenant doors, traps moisture, or creates trip hazards. Here’s how Tampa Bay HOAs and 55+ communities can keep CBUs festive and fully compliant with USPS and ADA rules.

The Non-Negotiables (Don’t Skip These)

• Keep every tenant door fully clear. No wraps, garlands, or lights across hinges, edges, or locks.

• Leave locks, parcel lockers, and the outgoing slot unobstructed. USPS access must be immediate.

• Maintain approach and swing clearances. Residents need safe, level access in all weather.

• Protect labels and numbers. If USPS can’t read them, delivery gets delayed.

Q: Can we wrap lights around tenant doors?
A: No. Keep all door edges, locks, and slots unobstructed for USPS access.

Clear Approach: Unobstructed space that lets residents—including wheelchair users—reach locks and mail slots safely.

ADA Details for 55+ Communities

• Approach width & turning space: Keep the path wide and level—no cords across walking lines.

• Low-vision considerations: Choose warm-white, non-strobing lighting; avoid glare at eye level.

• Reach ranges: Don’t add décor that raises handles or forces awkward reaches to locks or slots.

Q: Are battery puck lights OK inside compartments?
A: No. Nothing goes inside compartments—ever. Keep all illumination external and out of the swing path.

Florida Weather: Moisture, Corrosion & Power Safety

Tampa Bay humidity + salt air + holiday rains = fast-track corrosion if décor is installed incorrectly.

• Rated components only. Use outdoor-rated lights, cords, and connectors.

• Use GFCI and drip loops. Plug into GFCI-protected circuits; create a drip loop so water falls away from plugs.

• Cord management: No cords on the ground where people walk; secure with purpose-built clips (not tape).

Ingress Protection (IP): Indicates how well fixtures resist dust and water. For outdoor holiday lighting, look for weather-resistant gear.

Do / Don’t: The Quick List

Do

• Use clip-on accessories designed for metal cabinets and kiosk trim.

• Mount décor on posts, bollards, roof lines, or adjacent landscaping—not on doors.

• Add timers so lights shut off late night and during storms.

• Keep parcel doors and outgoing slot 100% clear.

Don’t

• Don’t drill, screw, or rivet into CBU cabinets (voids finish/warranty).

• Don’t tape over labels, addresses, USPS seals, or locks.

• Don’t run cords across approach paths or through door swings.

• Don’t use magnets directly on painted aluminum cabinets (risk of abrasion/corrosion).

Q: What about magnetic hooks?
A: Use manufacturer-safe clips on kiosks. Magnets are acceptable on steel posts only—and only if fully secure and rust-safe.

Low-Maintenance, Festive Ideas (That Don’t Break Rules)

• Wreath standoffs mounted to kiosk structure (never on doors).

• Bollard-mounted or planter-integrated lighting to frame the kiosk.

• Roof-line stringing using clip systems—keeps doors, locks, and labels clear.

• Matching bows/ribbons on nearby posts or sign standards (avoid cabinet doors).

After the Holidays: Removal & Finish Care

• Remove décor promptly. Prolonged moisture + pressure = finish damage.

• Clean gently. Use a mild soap and soft cloth; avoid abrasives on powder coat.

• Inspect & tune: Check locks, hinges, pedestal hardware, and relabel if needed.

GFCI: Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter: a safety device that cuts power when it detects leakage current—critical for outdoor lighting.

Fast Compliance Checklist

• Doors, locks, parcel lockers, outgoing slot fully accessible

• No décor on moving parts, labels, or USPS markings

• Cords secured off walking paths; GFCI used; outdoor-rated equipment

• Approach clear for wheelchairs, strollers, and carts

• Lighting timed and weather-safe (no pool-ing water at connections)

Call to Action

Want it festive and compliant?
Ask Forsite for a holiday-safe kiosk décor plan—we’ll spec clips, layout, lighting, and a quick removal checklist tailored to your community. Same-week site reviews available in Tampa Bay.

About Forsite

Forsite Mailboxes and Signs is America’s trusted source for decorative mailboxes, community signage, and branding systems. We specialize in USPS-approved CBUs, parcel lockers, and coordinated street signage that enhance curb appeal, improve compliance, and simplify maintenance. With expert installation and nationwide service, we make it easy to upgrade your community with solutions that last.