If you suspect a bomb
- Keep others away.
- Do not touch package.
- Call 911 or Public Safety at 802-443-5911 immediately.
- See Bomb Threat information page.
Suspicious Packages
Courtesy of the Vermont Violence Prevention Project
If item is suspicious but threat is unknown
- Do not handle the item if possible.
- Report the item to your supervisor.
- Attempt to confirm the contents without opening.
- Contact the addressee, if identified.
- Contact the sender, if practical.
- Contact the Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911.
- A public safety officer will determine if the police need to be contacted.
If you find an opened suspicious package
- Do not touch the package.
- Report the package to your supervisor.
- Secure the area and do not allow entry.
- Call 911 or call the Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911 and advise them of the package.
- Any employee who had direct contact with package should wash her/his exposed skin with soap and water.
- Wait for emergency responders to arrive and follow their directions.
- Provide emergency responders information about who was in the area around the time the package was discovered.
Characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes
- Have a powdery substance on the outside.
- Are unexpected or are from someone unfamiliar to you.
- Have excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed addresses, incorrect titles with names, or misspellings of common words.
- Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or the addresses are outdated.
- Have no return address or an address that cannot be verified as legitimate.
- Addresses not consistent with postmarks.
- Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
- Have an unusual amount of tape, string, or other wrapping material on them.
- Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Fragile” or “Personal” and “Confidential” or “Rush-Do-Not-Delay.”
- Have strange odors or stains.
- Appear to contain electrical wire or tin foil.
