The Kalamazoo County Emergency Management Department is providing this information to clarify what individuals should do at their home or their workplace with suspicious letters or packages. The recent terrorist threats and several confirmed cases of exposure to anthrax experienced nationally have caused an increase in public concern over the possibility of chemical, biological or explosive attacks through the postal service.

This information will also be helpful in identifying suspect packages and actions that should be taken if exposure to anthrax or other biological /chemical contaminates may have occurred. The following is based on information provided by the F.B.I., Postal Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Michigan State University.

Identifying Suspect Mail or Parcels

Pay special attention to any mail or packages with the following traits, especially if this would be unusual for your department.

• No return address or strange or unexpected return address for first class mail only.
  
• Postmark does not match the return address.
  
• Mail Marked "Personal" or "Confidential" received at your business or office.
  
• Postmarks from a foreign country.
  
• Excessive use of postage.
  
• Misspelled words, improper addressing.
  
• Odd, lopsided, uneven or rigid packaging.
  
• Items with a strange odor, stains, discoloration, or leaking substance.
  
• Protruding wires
  
• Excessive tape

If you receive a piece of mail that falls into one or more of the above categories, and you are uncomfortable about a package or letter, follow these instructions.

• Do not open it.
  
• Do not shake it or empty out the contents.
  
• Place item in a box or a plastic bag, an airtight plastic storage container is best.
  
• If a container is not available, cover the item and leave it covered.
  
• Keep others away from the item.
  
• If possible, clean your hands with an antibacterial product.
  
• If at work, notify your supervisor immediately, they will take appropriate action.
  
• Prepare a list of possible people who may have handled the item.
• Notify the police by calling 9-1-1 to report that you have received a piece of mail that may contain a biological or chemical substance.

If you open an envelope or package and find an unidentified substance:

• Remain calm.
• Carefully put the item down. Never carry the item to another location.
  
• Do not taste, smell or touch the substance. Let officials do the analysis.
  
• Notify the police by calling 9-1-1.
  
• Remain in the immediate area to minimize the spread of the substance.
  
• Alert others to keep away from the area.
  
• Turn off any circulating fans, air conditioners or heaters.
  
• Refrain from cleaning up any of the spilled substance.
  
• If you touched the substance with your hands, do not touch your face.
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
  
• Wait for trained emergency personnel to arrive.
  
• Be ready to inform emergency responders regarding possible staff who have had contact with the substance.
  
• Local health and law enforcement officials, responsible for the jurisdiction in which the incident occurs, will make decontamination and treatment decisions.