Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
19 October 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 19 October 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Health Board have issued advice on dealing with suspicious mail and packages.
The advice is in the light of addresses in Scotland receiving Anthrax threat letters.
A spokesperson said: "The number of letters received in Scotland is low and they have so far proved to be hoaxes. However, it is sensible for people to be aware of possible signs and to have guidance in the event of receiving something suspicious. Most of the advice is plain common sense and the most important message is for people to remain calm."
A copy of the advice on dealing with suspicious mail and packages follows for your information
ISSUE No 1, 18 OCTOBER 2001, CnES EMERGENCY PLANNING
Some addresses in Scotland have received Anthrax threat letters containing powdery substances. These are now believed to have been hoaxes. Pending definitive government direction, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Health Board have issued the following guidelines for persons handling mail. If you have been exposed to a letter or package containing a powder or other 'suspicious' material DO NOT PANIC! Even if a letter or package does contain something infectious, the risks to those in the same office/locality/room are low.
· Excessive postage.
· Handwritten or poorly typed addresses.
· Incorrect titles.
· Title, but no name.
· Misspellings of common words.
· Oily stains, discolorations or odour.
· No return address.
· Excessive weight.
· Lopsided or uneven envelope.
· Excessive security material such as tape, string etc.
· Visual distractions, e.g. sticker "You may already have won £50,000".
· Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal"
or "Confidential".
· The postmark does not match the return address.
· Examine (feel) unopened envelopes for foreign bodies
or powder.
· Do not open letters with your hands; use a letter opener.
· Open letters and packages with a minimum of movement to avoid spilling
any contents.
· Consider additional precautions such as wearing gloves and restricting
the opening of mail to a limited number of trained individuals.
· Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious
letter or package.
· Place the item in a plastic bag or some other container to prevent
leakage of the contents. If you do not have a container, then COVER the item
with anything immediately available and do not remove this cover.
· If leakage has occurred - DO NOT TRY TO CLEAN UP THE POWDER! Cover
the spilled contents carefully with anything immediately available without disturbing
the powder.
· LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent
others from entering (i.e. keep others away).
· Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder
to your face.
· If a spillage has occurred - additionally remove any 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 the emergency responders
for proper disposal. Then SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do
not use bleach or other disinfectant on your skin.
· If you are at HOME, dial "999" to report the incident to
the local Police. Do not move the item.
· If you are at work, dial "999" to report the incident to
the local Police and alert your supervisor (by telephone, if possible).
· List all the people who were in the room or area at the time when the
letter or package was recognised as suspicious or when the spillage occurred,
especially those who may have had actual contact with the powder. Give this
list to the Police, who will contact Environmental Health and Public Health
for any further action that may be necessary.
· If you have any health concerns - seek advice from your GP.
· Further guidance may be issued as the situation develops.
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer