The police, other emergency workers and public health authorities will give advice about what to do next.

Wait in a safe place until the police or firefighters arrive.

Wash your hands or shower with soap and water.

Remove any clothing that has powder or liquid on it and seal it in a plastic bag.

Wait in a safe place until the police or fire response teams arrive.

If applicable, alert building security or the superintendent.Call 9-1-1 (or the emergency response number in your area, if applicable).Get everyone out of the room and close the door.Leave the letter or package where it is.Do not handle, shake, smell or taste it. Suspicious packages Unfamiliar return address or none at all Strange odour or noise Protruding wires Excessive postage Misspelled words Addressed to a.Call the police immediately at 911 (or on the Ithaca campus call 607 255-1111 from a cell phone) from a safe. Avoid contaminating other areas and people. If you are worried about a package or letter you have received: If you receive or observe a suspicious piece of mail, package or material, do not move, open, cover or interfere with it. It contains an object that you did not expect to receive or cannot identify.The contents of a letter or package may cause concern if: Oily stains, discolouration or crystallization on wrapping.Addressed to a business title only (e.g.Unfamiliar return address or none at all.The following might help in identifying a suspicious package: Look for things that are out of the ordinary, such as unexpected mail from a foreign country. You know what kind of mail and packages you usually receive. Any letters or packages arriving before or after a phone call from an unknown person asking if the item was received.Īgain, knowing the type of mail that your department receives will help you to determine what is 'suspicious'.Suspicious packages could be delivered to your home or workplace, so it is good practice to be vigilant and aware of what to do.Pressure or resistance noted when removing contents from an envelope or package.Irregular shape, soft spots, bulges or sloshing sounds.Unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package, wrapped in string or endorsed 'Fragile-Handle With Care', 'Rush-Do Not Delay', 'To Be Opened in the Privacy of', 'Your Lucky Day is Here' or 'Prize Enclosed.'.Package may feel rigid, or appear uneven or lopsided.Excessive postage or no postage at all.Cancellation or postmark may show a different location than the return address.Protruding wires, aluminum foil, or oil stains and may emit a peculiar odor.Distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.

Mail that is inconsistent with the types of mail normally received.Unusual or unverifiable return addresses.Powders, oily stains, discolorations or strange odors.Incorrect or non-existent departments or position titles.No return address or nonsensical return address.Addressee's name or title may be inaccurate.Handwritten or poorly typed addresses, especially those in hand printed block lettering.These characteristics are important when the addressee does not usually receive personal mail at the office. The Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department is investigating a 'suspicious package' outside of the Planned Parenthood comprehensive health center at 4401 West 109th Street in Overland Park. Restricted endorsements such as 'Personal', 'Private', or 'Addressee Only'.The following indicators may make a person deem a package 'suspicious': Call the Harvard University Police Department and follow their instructions and wait for their arrival.Īwareness of what may be suspicious: Please understand that your knowledge of the types of mail your department receives will help you to identify what is out of the ordinary.Wash your hands immediately with soap and water.Evacuate the area, close the room and prevent further access.

Avoid further handling and isolate item as best possible.obvious contamination or specific written threats): If you identify a suspicious letter or package: If you encounter a suspicious package or letter, your best protection is your knowledge of the types of mail you normally handle and your awareness of some of the following procedures: Mail handlers who receive mail that they have suspicions about should contact the Harvard University Police Department at 61 immediately.