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How
to recognize suspicious letters and parcels |
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Excessive postage |
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Oily stains and
discolorations |
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Lopsided or uneven
envelope |
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Markings such as
"personal", "confidential" |
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Protruding wires or
tinfoil |
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Excessive weight |
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Incorrect titles |
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Handwritten/poorly typed
addresses |
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Titles but no names |
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Rigid envelope |
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Visual distractions |
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Excessive tape, string,
wrapping, etc. |
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Misspelling of common
words |
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Noticeable liquids |
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No return address |
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Audible noises (humming,
ticking, etc.) |
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Foreign mail, air mail,
special delivery |
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Letters and Parcels procedures |
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Remain calm. DO NOT
TOUCH the suspicious letter or package. |
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Note specifics of the
letter or package, including exact location. |
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Dial 9-1-1
IMMEDIATELY to report the suspicious parcel to law
enforcement. |
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DO NOT TAKE THE
LETTER OR PARCEL TO A FIRE STATION OR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT!
These are essential public safety facilities that will be unable
to provide services to the community if contamination is
suspected. Emergency services will respond to your home or
business to inspect the letter or parcel. |
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DO NOT ALLOW
family members, neighbors, or co-workers to approach or handle the
package. Public safety officials offer the best "second
opinion". |
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Chemical
and/or biological threat procedures |
| If you know or suspect you
have been exposed to a contaminant contained in a parcel or
envelope or other container: |
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Do not panic; remain
calm. |
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Dial
9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY. |
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STAY WHERE YOU ARE. Tell
people to stay away from you and the contaminated area. |
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Isolate the affected
area. Close all doors, windows, and secure the immediate area. |
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You may seal the suspect
envelope or parcel in a large plastic ziplock bag if available. Do
not handle
the object unnecessarily in order to seek out a large
enough bag; if none is close by, it is better to leave the object
undisturbed than to move it around. |
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Everyone who contacted
the package directly must remain isolated until the fire
department, law enforcement or other competent authority determine
the level of threat. |
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All who have NOT been
exposed to the biological/chemical contaminant or its packaging
should evacuate the building and wait nearby. |
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Upon evaluation of the
threat situation, affected citizens will be notified of further
actions that could be necessary. |
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Be patient. The threat
assessment process is time consuming as the safety of all involved
citizens and public safety personnel is essential.
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