The stairs to the house in Portland’s East End were steep but clear of snow and well salted.

At the very bottom, though, a mini ice rink had formed. 2DineIn owner Mike Bolduc didn’t see the frozen puddle until he was right on top of it.

“I looked like a cartoon character running in place for a minute,” said Bolduc, who still delivers restaurant orders occasionally for the Greater Portland delivery service he founded in 2007.

Bolduc managed to avoid falling, he said, and his delivery drivers have experienced few slip-and-falls through the years.

“For the most part, our customers are pretty good about keeping their walkways clear of snow and ice,” Bolduc said. “But if people don’t clear snow right away, it can get icy and that creates a danger.”

The need to ensure the ease and safety of home deliveries has grown exponentially in recent years, along with online shopping, food delivery services and working from home in the wake of the pandemic.

Online holiday sales are set to surpass $250 billion for the first time this year, according to Adobe Digital Insights, and ShipMatrix predicts the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and Amazon will deliver 2.3 billion packages in November and December.

With nearly 30% of U.S. households using food delivery apps weekly, companies like Grubhub, Uber Eats, Instacart and HelloFresh have added to the stream of delivery drivers dashing to your door. All of them could use some help in getting the job done, especially this time of year.

“Any amount of snow can cause a dangerous situation for mail carriers and others,” the postal service said in an online statement.

Delivery companies recommend a variety of safety measures beyond regular snow removal, such as leaving a porch light on and providing clear instructions on where to leave a package in foul weather.

“The most popular day for deliveries is when no one wants to leave their house because it’s snowing or sleeting or pouring rain,” said Thomas Brems, founder and CEO of CarHop, a food and beverage delivery service operating in Greater Portland, Saco, Biddeford, Brunswick, Bangor and beyond.

CLEAR THE WAY

Matthew Daggett, 32, has delivered full time for CarHop in Greater Portland for five years.

“Thankfully, I’ve never fallen,” Daggett said. “I’ve never really had a bad experience that was the fault of a customer.”

To ensure easy and safe access to mailboxes, doors and other delivery destinations, clear snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways, walkways, steps and porches in winter — and find out-of-the-way spots for bikes, toys, trash cans and other equipment all year round.

Overhangs also should be free of snow and ice to reduce the risk of falling debris, the postal service suggests. Roadside mailboxes should allow mobile letter carriers to approach and drive away without backing up.

Apply salt and sand on walkways so delivery people have enough traction to avoid slips, trips or falls and vehicles can navigate safely. Walkways, steps and handrails also should be kept in good condition to avoid injury.

If an address appears to be inaccessible, “we stress with all our drivers to use their best judgment and call the customer,” Bolduc said.

MAKE IT EASY TO FIND

Leave an outdoor light on when you’re expecting a delivery and make sure mailbox, house and apartment numbers are well marked and visible day and night.

“GPS works great, but if the house isn’t marked very well or well lit, it can make delivery difficult,” Bolduc said.

If possible, provide delivery instructions with a detailed description of the best path to the designated delivery or drop-off spot. Include gate or entry codes, apartment numbers and other information that delivery people will need, such as “leave it on the chair by the door.”

“It’s always helpful to have some instructions on exactly where to deliver,” Brems said.

Give drivers a heads up about pets that don’t appreciate strangers and consider keeping them away from the delivery area.

If you’re expecting an expensive delivery or fear that packages may be stolen by “porch pirates,” select a more discrete delivery spot.

BE RESPONSIVE

If you’ve ordered food, make sure your phone number and delivery details are up to date in whatever app you’re using, and keep your phone handy. The driver may call or text with a quick question.

Some customers prefer no-contact rather than face-to-face encounters. Either way, “make sure you’re ready for the delivery,” Daggett said. It’s not the best time to take a shower.

If you have ordered alcoholic beverages, be prepared to show your identification. Some drivers have shared videos on social media of customers refusing to show their ID, but it’s required by law in Maine.

“Be prepared for a face-to-face ID check,” Brems said. “Customers must be at least 21 and not intoxicated. If you can’t go to the store and buy it, we don’t want to deliver it to you.”

SHOW APPRECIATION

Most delivery people appreciate being recognized for great service. Some customers offer treats, thank-you notes or small gifts at the holidays.

Postal carriers can accept gifts valued up to $20, or $50 per year, according to the USPS website, but they are prohibited from accepting tips in the form of cash, checks or gift cards.

Brems describes his delivery drivers as “mobile waiters” and says they deserve tips similar to servers in brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Daggett, the CarHop driver, said his customers tend to be respectful, helpful and good tippers.

“For the most part, they’re pretty generous with their tips,” he said.