There’s been snow and ice to spare, but so far no serious injuries among mail carriers in Kamloops.

It’s been a difficult year in terms of thaw, re-freezing and snowfall, said Bob Mitchell, president of CUPW Kamloops Local 758. That usually translates into broken legs, arms or ankles. Sometimes a carrier will slip on the ice and end up unconscious.

Not so this winter. No such injuries were recorded up to a week and a half ago, Mitchell said Thursday.

“Typically we can expect to see one or two serious falls like that a year,” he said.

Mitchell’s comments come the same day Canada Post asked home and business owners to help create “a safe environment” for letter carriers.

In a press release, spokeswoman Joelle Hamilton said injuries due to slips, trips and falls are on the rise in the B.C. Interior because of the snow and uncharacteristic January thaw and freeze.

She asked that people regularly remove snow, ice and other debris from stairs, walkways, driveways and spaces where mailboxes are located.

Salt can be used to melt existing ice and sand works as an extra precaution to ensure a safe walking surface, said Hamilton.

Mitchell agreed that the current conditions are treacherous for his carriers.

“It’s been a difficult year for thaw and refreezing,” he said. “We’re asking residents to keep their walkways clear.”

Overnight snowfalls have been the biggest issue so far this winter. Mitchell said City plows start with arterial road and work outwards from the centre of town. That means some parts of the city like Barnhartvale aren’t cleared by the time posties start work.

If a carrier doesn’t believe a road or driveway is safe, he or she won’t deliver the mail, he said.