3869 Wheeler Ave.
Houston, TX 77204-6191
(713) 743-3333
or 911 from a campus phone
non-emergency email
Suspicious Packages
Facilities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. The letters were mostly empty envelopes, with some containing powdery substances. In the wake of these events, the University of Houston Department of Public Safety distributes the following guidelines for handling suspicious letters and packages. Information in this guideline was obtained from the websites for the Center for Disease Control and the United States Postal Service.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS
Typical characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following:
excessive postage
powdery substance on the outside of the package
oily stains, discolorations, or odor
unusual amount of tape
unusual weight for package size
lopsided or oddly shaped
addressed to a title only (no name)
addressed to an incorrect title
unexpected, or from someone unfamiliar to you
addressed to someone no longer with your organization
no return address, or have one that cannot 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 OR 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.
Notify your supervisor, and UHDPS at (713) 743-3333.
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 UHDPS and UHSRM for 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 OR 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.
Notify your supervisor, UHDPS at (713) 743-3333 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 UHDPS and UHSRM for follow-up investigations.
