Suspicious Letters and Packages
Always be wary of unexpected packages and letters, be suspicious of them.
They may or can contain explosives, chemicals or unknown agents.
Be especially suspicious of such items in your place of work.
There are some typical characteristics that postal inspectors have discovered over the years. Such characteristics, I will list now;
Unexpected package or from someone unknown to you.
Package has no return address or address can not be verified.
Package is marked “Personal” “Confidential” or “Do not X ray”.
Package has protruding wires, aluminum foil, a strange odor or an oily stain.
Has a city or state postmark that is different from the return address.
Package is lopsided, the weight is at one end or is bulky and or oddly shaped.
May be marked with threats or foul language.
Package has excessive postage or packaging material such as masking tape or string.
Has mis-spelled common words.
Addressed to someone no longer with the company or data is outdated.
Has an incorrect title or title does not have a name with it.
Package is addressed to a specific person.
Has handwritten address or the address is poorly typed.
With suspicious envelopes and packages other than those which could contain explosives, you must prepare yourself against chemical or biological agents. Here are typical tactics to do;
Refrain from eating or drinking in designated mail rooms or mail handling area.
Place suspicious envelopes or packages in a large clear plastic bag or another type of container to prevent leakage or contamination of exposed skin. Never, never sniff suspected or powder or chemicals.
If you do not have a plastic bag or a plastic container put the package in a cardboard box. If no cardboard box is available cover the package with a cloth or newspapers and do not remove the cover.
Leave the package in a room that be sectioned off or closed off. The goal here is to prevent exposure to others.
After handling a suspicious package and securing it away. Wash your hands with soap and lots of water. Repeat the rinsing of your hands.
If you are at work, report the package to your building security officials.
They will notify your local Police and other authorities.
List all the people who were in the room or area where the package was handled. Identify all mail handlers and give security or police the list of names.
If you are at home call your local police.
In case of an explosion. Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not worry about personal items. Do not stop for personal possessions. If the ceiling or items are falling get under a heavy table as quickly as possible. Do not leave that security until items stop falling. When everything stops falling get out quickly. Get out of the house or office building quickly. The tactics to follow in case of an explosion are;
If there is a fire:
Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
Cover your face, nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel for heat on the middle of the door, near the base of the door and neat the top of the door.
NEVER use the palm of the hand when feeling for heat a burn on those areas can severely impair your ability to escape a fire or use a ladder or crawl on the floor to an exit.
If the door is NOT hot, open it slowly, very slowly, and be sure there is no fire behind it. Insure that fire and or smoke are not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked use an alternate route like a window. If the window is locked in place place a white sheet on it or through the small ventilation or opening. The white marker tells firemen where you are located.
If the escape route is clear, leave immediately through the door. Be prepared to to crawl upon entering a smoke filled area. Heat and smoke rise to the ceiling. You should find a clear area below the smoke.
Remain calm the air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
If a door is hot do not open it. I repeat DO NOT OPEN.
Heavy thick smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
Stay below the smoke at all times.
2.If you are trapped in debris.
Remain calm do not light a match.
If you can not see in a few minutes your eyes will adjust to the
darkness.
Do not not move or kick up dust. Cover your month with a
handkerchief or clothing.
Find a thick piece of wood or a piece of metal and beat on a pipe as if
attempting to find or create music. Make the sound a rhythm that fire
rescue can hear as a signal. Shout only as a last resort when you hear
sounds and think someone can hear you. Avoid shouting as shouting
can increase your breathing and you may inhale smoke or chemicals.
The lessons to be learned here is:
Expect the unexpected in packages.
The most important point about surviving is remaining calm.
Always teach people to remain calm.
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