Suspicious Packages

Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. In the wake of these events, the University of Houston Police Department is distributing the following guidelines for handling suspicious letters and packages. This information was obtained from the Center for Disease Control and the United States Postal Service web sites.

HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS

Some of the typical characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following...

• Excessive postage
• Have any powdery substance on the outside
• Has oily stains, discolorations or odor
• Have an unusual amount of tape on them
• Are of unusual weight for their size
• Packages are lopsided or oddly shaped
• Are addressed to a title only (no name)
• Addressed to an incorrect title
• Are unexpected, or from someone unfamiliar to you
• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization
• Have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate
• Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
• Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS LETTER / PARCEL IN THE MAIL?

• Do not handle the envelope or package.
• Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
• PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
• If you do not have any container, then COVER the envelope or package with anything (clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.
• LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
• Ensure that all persons who have touched the envelope / package WASH their hands with soap and water.
• Next, notify your supervisor, UH Police at 743-0600.
• LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both UHPD and UHSRM for their follow-up investigations.
• Place all items worn when in contact with the suspected mail piece in plastic bags and have them available for law enforcement agents.
• As soon as practical, shower with soap and water.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS LETTER / PARCEL IN THE MAIL AND POWDER SPILLS OUT ONTO A SURFACE?

• DO NOT try to clean up the powder. COVER the spilled contents immediately with anything (clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.
• LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering. 
• WASH your hands with soap and water.
• Next, notify your supervisor, UH Police at 743-0600 or 911 
• REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to UHSRM for proper handling.
• SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not Use Bleach Or Other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
• LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both UHPD and UHSRM for their follow-up investigations.