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Safety Talk from USPS

This informative article covers important guidance from the USPS to help ensure the safety of Postal Service employees, partners, and customers. The article provides specific guidance and reiterates some basic points on how to handle mail with precautionary measures.


It is essential to identify and isolate possible suspicious mail, including any suspect mail piece returned to you by a customer at the counter. As always, employees should exercise caution when encountering a suspicious item, whether it be suspicious mail, unknown powders, liquids, or substances, or in the case of emergency situations involving smoke, fumes, or vapors. In any such situation, following established suspicious mail procedures is crucial.


Suspicious mail characteristics to pay special attention to:

  • Shape – Is it lopsided or uneven? Is it rigid or bulky?

  • Look – Are there oily stains, discolorations, or crystals on the wrapper? Does it have a strange odor?

  • Address

  • Is there a return address?

  • Are there restrictive markings?

  • Are there misspelled words?

  • Is it addressed to a title rather than to an individual?

  • Is it an incorrect title?

  • Is it poorly typed or written?

  • Packaging

  • Is it sealed with tape?

  • Is there excessive tape?

  • Is there excessive postage?

If you come across a suspicious item and believe that it does not pose an immediate danger to life or safety, please follow these steps:


  • Do not touch the package. Move to a safe area and call your local Post Office to report the incident.

  • Call the Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455. When prompted, state "emergency" to speak with a Postal Inspector.


On the other hand, if you think the suspicious item poses an immediate danger to life or safety, such as when you see smoke or hear unusual sounds like hissing, please do not touch the package. 


  • Immediately move to a safe area and call 911.

  • Follow instructions from the first respondents.

  • Call your supervisor to report the incident.

  • Call the Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455. When prompted, state “emergency” to speak with a Postal Inspector.


Remember that it's crucial to exercise caution and follow established suspicious mail procedures at all times. These precautions can help ensure the safety of Postal Service employees, partners, and customers alike. 

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