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Texas Tech University |
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If you receive a letter or package that is
suspicious, there are some precautions that you can take to keep yourself and
others as safe as possible. |
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Click on the links below to go to a particular topic.
Suspicious letter or package
characteristics
Suspicious mail procedures
Receiving office mail and packages
Additional information and links |
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Suspicious letter or package characteristics |
 Unexpected
letter or package.
Excessive
postage
Excessive
weight
Handwritten
or poorly typed addresses
Misspellings
of common words
Incorrect
titles
Title,
but no name
Oily
stains, powder, discolorations, or odors
No
return address
Excessive
weight, lopsided, or uneven envelope or package
Ticking
sound
City or
state in the postmark does not match return address
Leaking
substances
Written
threats on the outside of the letter or package, or attached to them
Unusual
amounts of tape attached to the letter or package |
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Suspicious Mail Procedures |
Step
1: Assess the situation to confirm report of suspicious mail . Do not touch
the suspicious piece of mail any further.
Do not
shake or disturb the contents of the letter or package.
Do not
attempt to smell or closely examine the letter or package.
Step
2: If suspicious letter or package is confirmed:
DO NOT PANIC and DO NOT OPEN IT.
If you have opened the package, DO NOT PANIC. Remain calm.
Do not
touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or any part of your face.
Do not
touch other people or objects, and do not let others touch you.
Wash
your hands and arms from the elbows down with soap and hot water. (Do not use
bleach or disinfectants on your skin.)
Step
3: Leave the letter or package where it is. Do not take the letter or
package to others to examine. DO NOT attempt to CLEAN UP anything that
might have spilled from a package. COVER the spilled contents immediately
with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this
cover.
Step
4: Evacuate people in the immediate area and close off the area if possible.
Keep others out of the area. Close any doors or windows gently. Turn of air
conditioning/handling equipment if possible.
Step
5: Call University Police Department at 742-3931 or 9-911 for emergency. The
University Police Department will respond and also notify other appropriate
emergency services.
Step
6: Make certain all personnel evacuated from the immediate area stay
together until the police arrive.
Step
7: Make a list of all individuals who were in the immediate area at the time
and give it to the police.
Step
8: Identify to police the individual who reported suspicious mail and what
suspicious characteristics the letter or package included. Remain on the scene
to assist with investigation. |
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Receiving office mail and packages |
If you handle or open mail as a part of your
regular routine, your best precaution is to wash your hands with soap and water
frequently, especially after handling mail. If you feel that you need to take
extra precautions, you may choose to keep a dust mask and latex gloves at your
desk; however, your best protection is regular hand washing.
When opening mail, avoid excessive motion including excessive shaking or tearing
of packages or envelopes. |
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United States Postal Service (USPS)
Suspicious
Mail Alert Poster
Suspicious Mail Information 10/17/01
Suspicious Mail Information 10/19/01
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Educational Video for People Who Process Sort, and
Deliver Mail
Anthrax
and the Mail Q & A
How to Recognize and Handle a Suspicious Package or
Envelope
Other
FBI
Advisory Poster for Handling Suspicious Mail
OSHA
Recommendations for Handling Mail
Decontamination Advisory: Clean Up of Suspicious
Powder/Substance (Anthrax Concern) (New York State Department of Health, October
18, 2001)
Greater
New York Hospital Association Anthrax Information
TTU Department Resources
MailTech (742-2286)
TTU
Police Department
Emergency 9-911
Non-emergency 742-3931
Environmental Health and Safety (742-3876)
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For additional Information contact ion contact Cliff Harris
(742-3876) |
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