The Department of Public Safety has developed this guide to assist in responding
to reports of suspicious packages. The information in this guide has been
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security and the United States
Postal Service. We have inserted some specific University phone numbers and
procedures to help if presented with the situations described.
How to Identify Suspicious Packages and Letters:
Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following:
Excessive postage
Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
Incorrect titles
Title, but no name
Misspellings of common words
Oily stains, discolorations or odor
No return address
Excessive weight
Lopsided or uneven envelope
Protruding wires or aluminum foil
Visual distractions
Ticking sound
Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address
Actions to Take Once a Potential Suspicious Package Has Been Identified:
- Stay Calm - Do Not Panic.
- Do Not Move or Handle a Suspicious Package.
- Call Public Safety at 301-405-3333 or 911 immediately.
- If there is reason to suspect that a package may contain an explosive device
based on characteristics described above, do not handle the package. Leave
the area and contact the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety.
- If the suspicious letter or package is marked with a threatening message
(such as "anthrax") or if a suspicious powder or substance spills out of
a package or envelope, follow these guidelines:
- DO NOT CLEAN up a Suspicious Powder.
- TURN OFF local fans or ventilation units in the area if you suspect that a device has been activated and the fan/ventilation switches are quickly and easily accessible.
- LEAVE the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from
entering. Call for help and keep others away from the area.
- WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
- REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic
bag or some other container that can be sealed. Give clothing bag to the emergency
responders.
- SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible if contaminated. Do Not Use Bleach or other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
- LIST all people who were in the area when the suspicious package was recognized.
- PROVIDE this list of people to Public Safety for follow-up investigations
and to ensure everyone involved can receive advice from local public health authorities and outside law enforcement officials.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
The Emergency Responders from Public Safety will assess the situation. If the suspicious
letter or package is marked with a threatening message (such as "anthrax") or if a suspicious powder or substance has spilled, they will follow certain guidelines.
Please do the following to assist the Department of Public Safety
- TURN OFF local fans or ventilation units in the area.
- LEAVE area immediately.
- CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
- SHUT down air handling system in the building, if possible. Call Facilities Management at x4-2222 for assistance with HVAC and other building issues.
- LIST all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized.
- PROVIDE this list of people to Public Safety for follow-up investigations
and to ensure everyone involved receives advice from local public health authorities
and outside law enforcement officials.
Additional Resources:
