Mailing

Postal Security

Mailing Services works with the U.S. Postal Service, University Police, and Environmental Health & Safety to develop and train employees on safe mail handling procedures. If our staff identifies a suspicious piece of mail, we remove it from the mail stream. We then follow the guidelines below and immediately notify University Police. However, the volume of mail received by the University of Washington makes it impractical to screen each piece of mail, and it is important for anyone handling mail to be aware of safe mail handling procedures.

On November 20, 2001, the U.S. Postal Service notified the University that the main postal processing and distribution center for Seattle tested negative for anthrax.

If you have any concerns about a suspicious piece of mail or package, call University Police at 9-911, or your local law enforcement.

General Precautions for Mail Handling

• Examine unopened letters/parcels and look for suspicious features.
• Use letter opener to open mail.
• Avoid touching your skin, eyes, or other mucous membranes.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water when finished handling mail.

Currently there is no indication for wearing gloves or mask while handling mail.

What constitutes a "suspicious letter/parcel?"

Some typical characteristics Postal Inspectors have detected over the years, which ought to trigger suspicion, include letter/parcels that:

• are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
• are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
• have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate.
• are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
• are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential".
• have protruding wires, strange odors, powder, liquid stains or residue.
• show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address.
• appear suspicious and the contents cannot be verified with the addressee or sender.

What should I do if I have received a suspicious letter/parcel in the mail?

• Do not shake or try to open the letter/parcel.
• Place letter/parcel in clear "zip lock" type plastic bag.
• Isolate the letter/parcel without further handling.
• Evacuate the immediate area.
• Notify your supervisor.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Call University Police at 9-911 or your local law enforcement to report that you've received a suspicious letter/parcel in the mail.
• When you call the University Police, be prepared to describe the letter/parcel in detail.

What should I do if I have opened a letter/parcel with suspicious contents or an anthrax threat?

• Do not further handle the mail piece or package suspected of contamination.
• Evacuate the immediate area & prevent others from entering.
• Notify your supervisor.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Notify University Police at 9-911 or your local law enforcement.
• Ensure that all persons who have touched the mail piece wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• List all persons who have touched the letter and/or envelope. Include contact information. Provide the list to University Police.
• In the event there is evidence of possible hazardous materials present, those who came in contact with the suspicious mail will be asked to support law enforcement and public health investigations and participate in medical follow-up.

If you have concerns about your mail, more information can be found at:

• The U.S. Postal Service, http://usps.com
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
• Seattle-King County Public Health, http://www.metrokc.gov/health/bioterrorism/

Contact Us:

Mailing Contacts