Postal pairing

A company that makes accessories for Apple and Samsung devices is offering a new collection of postal-themed designs.

Troy, MI-based Affinity Bands’ line of smartwatch bands and cases for Samsung smartphones, iPhones and AirPods is available on its website. The licensed items will also be sold online by Amazon, Walmart, Target and Etsy, beginning in March.

The products cost $19.99-$39.99.

The collaboration with Affinity Bands follows the success of postal-themed products from Casetify and Vans footwear and apparel.

Other popular crossovers have included a ride-on vehicle and Post Office tent from toymaker Kid Trax and a U.S. stamps edition of the Monopoly board game.

USPS expects the products to be “popular and well received by postal employees and postal brand enthusiasts,” said Amity Kirby, the organization’s licensing manager.

Share your feedback at uspslink@usps.gov. Your comments could be included in the “Mailbag” column.

Deadline nearing

Postal Service facilities that store certain quantities of hazardous chemicals must complete and submit the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Tier II form by March 1 each year.

Reporting requirements apply to any location that stores threshold quantities of EPCRA-regulated chemicals, such as sulfuric acid in lead-acid and gel cell batteries, gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, propane and ice melt/anti-skid products.

In most cases, the federal reporting threshold is 10,000 pounds.

Postal Service sites that exceed this threshold must complete and submit an EPCRA Tier II form to notify state and local emergency response agencies about the potential hazards on site.

The Environmental Affairs Tier II Reporting Blue page has more information.

Phish eye

The Postal Service wants employees and contractors to remain vigilant against malware, malicious software specifically designed to compromise computer systems or devices.

Malware can be delivered in several ways, including through websites, apps and unsolicited tech support.

However, approximately 94 percent of all malware arrives as email attachments.

Online criminals often target organizations with phishing emails — which appear to be sent by departments within the organization, financial institutions, businesses or suppliers — to con office workers into downloading software designed to steal data.

The CyberSafe at USPS team advises employees and contractors to do the following when they receive suspicious emails:

Slow down: Evaluate messages, particularly those with “urgent” requests.

Spell check: Spelling and grammar mistakes can indicate a phishing attempt.

Be wary of attachments: Don’t open anything attached to a suspicious email.

Verify senders: If an email is from an “[EXTERNAL]” address, proceed with extra caution.

Hover but don’t click: To ensure all hyperlinked descriptions are accurate, hover your cursor over the link.

If you receive a suspicious email, select the email or emails and click the “Report to CyberSafe” button on the Outlook toolbar. If the email is already open, the button will appear in the email toolbar as well.

The “Report to CyberSafe” button can be installed if it isn’t on your Outlook toolbar.

The CyberSafe at USPS Blue and LiteBlue pages have additional information.