Delivery Drop Boxes & Coronavirus

Package and food delivery is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity for millions of Americans ordered to stay inside. Delivery drop boxes serve as a practical safety solution, providing secure containment for contactless deliveries.

Why Use a Drop Box?

Drop boxes allow recipients to receive deliveries, secure them with locks, and wait until surfaces are safe before handling contents. This minimizes contact and provides peace of mind during times when contactless delivery is essential.

Surface Safety Considerations

Viruses can persist on surfaces for extended periods. Research shows coronavirus lives on cardboard for around 24 hours and up to several days on plastics and stainless steel. This makes material selection critical for effective drop boxes.

Why Aluminum?

Based on research from the NIH, aluminum offers superior protection, with viruses surviving only 2-8 hours on this material—among the shortest lifespans of any surface. An aluminum drop box combined with a sturdy lock creates an effective storage solution that allows safe package retrieval after a waiting period.

Food Delivery Considerations

For food deliveries, concern should focus on external packaging rather than the food itself. A drop box provides a secure place for delivery drivers to leave items without direct contact, giving you control over when and how you retrieve your packages.

Verification note (updated March 26, 2026): This article is informational only. Fire-hazard mapping, code requirements, defensible-space rules, insurance treatment, and material acceptance can vary by parcel, product, and AHJ. Confirm current requirements with official California sources and your local building department, fire authority, or insurer before relying on an article for compliance decisions: OSFM FHSZ maps, OSFM Wildland Hazards and Building Codes, BOF Zone 0 / Defensible Space updates, and CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire.