Suspicious Letter or Package

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Human-Caused Emergencies
Suspicious Letter or Package

If you receive a suspicious letter or package:

Do NOT handle.
Don't shake or bump.
Isolate immediately.
Don't open, smell, or taste.
Treat it as threat.
University police at 956-882-4911.

Common features of suspicious packages:
https://about.usps.com/posters/pos84.pdf

Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
Have no return address or a return address that can't be verified as legitimate.
Are marked with restrictive endorsements such as "Personal," "Confidential," or "Do Not X-ray."
Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address.
Are of unusual weight given their size or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
Are marked with threatening language.
Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
Have excessive postage or packaging material, such as masking tape and string.
Have misspellings of common words.
Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
Have incorrect titles or titles without a name.
Are not addressed to a specific person.
Have handwritten or poorly typed addresses.

If a package or letter is open and/or a threat is identified:

For a bomb:

Evacuate immediately.
Call University Police at 956-882-4911.

For radiological:

Shield yourself from the object.
Limit exposure - don't handle.
Evacuate area and call University Police at 956-882-4911.

To reduce radiation exposure:

Limit time

Limit time

Increase distance

Increase distance

Use shielding

Use shielding

For biological or chemical:

Isolate - don't handle.
Call University Police at 956-882-4911.
Wash your hands with soap and water.

Suspicious substance in a campus building:

Clear and isolate the contaminated area. Do not touch or disturb anything.
Call University Police at 956-882-4911.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Do not leave premises until dismissed by authorities.