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Safe Mail Handling
How to Recognize Suspicious
Mail and Packages
Key indicators of a suspicious item include inappropriate
or unusual labeling, such as:
- Excessive postage
- Misspelled common words
- No return address or strange return address
- Unusual addressing, such as not being addressed
to a specific person or the use of incorrect titles or titles
with no name
- Restrictive markings, such as "personal,"
"confidential," or "do not x-ray"
- Postmarks that do not match return addresses
Other indicators include an unusual or inappropriate
appearance, including:
- Powdery substances felt through or appearing
on the item
- Oily stains or discolorations on the exterior
- Strange odors
- Excessive packaging material, like tape or
string
- Lopsided or bulky shape of envelopes or boxes
- Ticking sounds, protruding wires, or exposed
aluminum foil
Basic Procedures for Responding to
Suspicious Mail and Packages
- Stay calm.
- Do not open the letter or package (or open
any further), do not shake it, do not show it to others, or empty
its contents.
- Leave the letter or package where it is or
gently place it on the nearest flat surface.
- If possible, gently cover the letter (use
a trash can, article of clothing, etc.).
- Shut off any fans or equipment in the area
that may circulate the material.
- Alert others nearby to relocate to an area
away from the site of the suspicious item. Take essential belongings,
like cell phones, keys, purse, etc. with you in case return to
your office is delayed.
- Contact the Capitol Police immediately at
911#, 4-0911 in the Senate, or 5-0911 in the House.
- Leave and close the door to the space containing
the suspicious letter or package, cover the threshold area with
a towel or a coat if possible, and section off the area (keep
others away).
- To prevent spreading any powder or hazardous
substance to your face, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water.
- Relocate to your office's designated room/area,
take essential items with you, and keep others away.
- Stay in the designated area until instructed
otherwise by the Police. The Police will arrange appropriate medical
attention and follow-up procedures as necessary.
These are very basic guidelines that have been
developed by the House and Senate Sargent at Arms and the Capitol
Police. If you have more questions about identifying suspicious
mail and packages or how to respond to a suspicious item, contact
the Capitol Police or your respective postmaster for more information
and guidance on safe mail handling procedures.
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