Mother Nature has been delivering not only cold temperatures to Western Wisconsin, but above average amounts of snow as well. But postal carriers say that's causing more accidents.

Kim Haas with the U.S. Postal Service says 21 mail carries have been hurt on the job since November 1. 11 of them seriously, including fractured ribs, fractured ankles, and twisted knees.

Haas says the high number of accidents can be prevented if people keep their sidewalks free of snow and ice. "They need to be shoveling. They have 24 hours from the end of the snowfall to have their sidewalks clear, and that's a city ordinance. They can put salt down, they can put sand down, they can get free sand from the city."

Haas says the city may fine people if their sidewalks are snow or ice-covered.