Letterbox menace solved!

[Printsofwhales]

Delivering leaflets can present occasional hazards. The stiff bristles in letterboxes can scrape the skin off your knuckles, your fingers could become prey to dogs or the leaflet just crumbles on insertion, to name a few. I have tried the scissor tongs shown here LINK EDITED OUT BY MNHQ and it seems ideal. It is thin enough and long enough to go through every letterbox I have tried, and, as the photo shows, is an ideal size for leaflets. Usually you can simply slot in the leaflet, insert in the letterbox, open slightly and withdraw. The letterbox brushes tend to stop the leaflet being pulled back out. Alternatively once fully inserted rotate 90 degrees, open slightly so the leaflet falls out, close, rotate back and withdraw.
If you try this make sure it is a thin scissor tongs so it cannot get stuck
in or damage a letterbox.
As a bonus it also speeds up delivery.

I skinned my knuckles delivering letters from the council the other week. Found my own solution: turned my hand the other way up. No technology required.

My DS once pointed at me and asked "what are those flaps for?"

They were my boobs.

@LouMumsnet
One of those little sausage dog shaped draught excluders too?

Been a while since my flaps have seen a sausage shape

@killpop well, at least they're not soggy - unlike @Justmuddlingalong's poor flaps.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure that this thread did not turn out how Printsofwhales expected. For that reason, it should definitely stay.

(We've edited out the sneaky link in his OP, just to be safe.)

Oh, and @summerhouse - I hear ya. Having DC really does play havoc with your 'flaps'....

I like the commitment with the leaflet-themed username.

I've got double flaps and things keep getting stuck in them. These tongs might be a good idea.

I am very disappointed in you Printsofwales. But thank you for this brilliant thread. And thank you for keeping it @LouMumsnet - it has amused me no end.

I don't mind fingers going through my flaps. But a whole hand is unnecessary and tongs is just overkill. No wonder some folk have a cage attached to theirs.

My flaps are very noisy which is a real problem with all this wind.

@justmuddling do you have any thoughts on the size of package? You only mention fingers, hands and tongs.

🤔 Hmm, size of package? Big enough, but not too big that it breaks the hinge. 😉

Oooh a spammer, called it, my flaps are chuffed

Yes. And fastidiously wrapped.

What a weird thread. 😂

You were so right @tiny
My flaps are obviously trusting, innocent and naive. And sadly a little bit more worldly wise as a result of this...

CassadraCross, I am going to name it Arkwrights Flap, just for you. It is a security letterbox, so secure it even keeps the postman out.

For some reason the junk mailers manage to get stuff through but the post is always half out. We have offered the postie a spatula but he declined to insert a wooden item through my flaps.

Perhaps we can remarket the "tongs for stubborn flaps" to the NHS OP. Did you ever think about spamming them? Might make effective cervical screening equipment (and saves the poor nurses getting their fingers scraped or clamped in 🤣)

Yay Don'tCallMeShitley am chuffed as a very chuffed thing, Arkwrights Flap - just perfect and I definitely need to invest in one.

Ps - love your username, the original line is oft quoted in this establishment.

I have no witty comment to add, just 🤣🤣🤣

Anyone else imagining a brainstorming session at Printsofwales HQ where they all have to think of alternative uses for BBQ equipment.
Tongs for insertion of mail into flaps.
Skewers for makeshift car aerials.
Forks for vigilante attack weaponry etc....

CassandraCross, I am expecting one day to find a little row of fingers on the doormat and a pool of blood on the top step outside. It is a very strong flap indeed.

DontCallMeShitley I am so impressed, definitely a flap worthy of the Arkwright label.

We were driving on toll road in a European Country, the system was automatic - card or cash - if using cash you poked the notes into a slot, one particular one was most definitely going for an Arkwright Award, I've never seen anything swallow something so quick - was lucky to escape with fingertips intact!