BYU-Idaho Emergency Information

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  Mail Handling Guidelines

Packages and letters received on the campus of BYU-Idaho have been screened to an extent by both the U.S. Postal Service and the university post office.  In the event, however, that a highly suspicious letter or package is received, the university police should be notified. (Extension 3000).  The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in cooperation with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has established the following guidelines related to biological or chemical hazards as well as possible explosive devices. 

How to identify suspicious packages and letters:  Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters include the following:

  • Powder in or on the envelope
  • Excessive postage
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
  • Incorrect titles
  • Title, but no name
  • Misspellings of common words
  • Oily stains, discoloration or odor
  • No return address
  • Excessive weight
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope
  • Protruding wires or aluminum foil
  • Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
  • Visual distractions
  • Ticking sound
  • Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
  • Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address

Suspicious letter or package marked with threatening message:

  1. DO NOT PANIC.
  2. Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
  3. Do not directly handle letter or package after threat is recognized.
  4. If possible, cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, trash can, etc.) to limit exposure and do not remove this cover.
  5. Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to keep others away.
  6. Report situation to supervisor and call university police at extension 3000.
  7. Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
  8. List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized.  Give this list to university police.
  9. Follow the instructions of university police or health care personnel.

Envelope with powder and/or powder spills out onto surface:

  1. Do not try to clean up the powder.  Cover the spilled contents carefully and immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.
  2. Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering the area.
  3. Immediately report situation to supervisor and call university police at extension 3000.
  4. Call HVAC at extension 2431 to shut down the air handling system of building.
  5. Remove heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that can be sealed.  This clothing bag should be given to emergency responders for proper handling.
  6. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible.  Do not use bleach or other disinfectant on you skin.
  7. List all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder.  Give this list to the university police.
  8. Follow the instructions of university police or health care personnel.