Bomb Threats & Suspicious Packages

Most bomb threats are hoaxes, but every threat must be taken seriously until police decide otherwise. A calm, prepared response protects people, helps police, and avoids panic. Workers should know how to handle a threatening call, what to do with a suspicious item and how to follow the evacuation plan.

• All Workers
• Receptionists & Front Desk Staff
• Mail Room Staff
• Supervisors
• Building Managers

If you receive a threat by phone

• Stay calm and keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Don't hang up. Listen carefully and write down everything.
• Signal a coworker (a note or agreed sign) to call 911 or security while you keep talking, or call as soon as the caller hangs up.
• Ask these questions if you can: When will the bomb go off? Where is it right now? What does it look like? What kind of bomb is it? What will make it explode? Did you place it? Why? What is your name and address?
• Note the caller's voice and speech (male or female, age, accent, calm or excited, lisp, slurred), and background sounds (traffic, music, voices, machinery). Note the exact words of the threat and the time and length of the call.
• Record any caller ID or number shown on the phone. Don't delete voicemails; save them for police.
• Use a bomb threat checklist (such as the DHS-CISA Bomb Threat Call Procedures) kept at phones or reception desks. Fill it out right away and give it to police.
• Tell your supervisor or security manager as soon as you can, and don't discuss the threat widely or on social media, which can cause panic.

Written, email, text or social media threats

• Don't delete messages or envelopes. Save the message, headers and screenshots.
• Handle written threats minimally by the edges and put them in a clear bag or folder, to preserve fingerprints. Don't forward widely.
• Call 911 and your security manager. Note when and where it was found and who handled it. See Scene Preservation.
• Threats to a person or workplace can also be reported to the FBI (tips.fbi.gov) and local police.

Suspicious packages and items

Signs that a package or item may be suspicious include: no return address or a fake one, excessive postage or tape, wrong or misspelled names and titles, oily stains, wires, foil or powder visible, strange odors, unexpected or unattended delivery, and an unusual weight or lopsided shape. A bag or box left alone in a public area is also a concern.

• Don't touch, move, open, shake or cover it. Don't put it in water.
• Move away from the item and keep others away. Alert security and call 911 from a safe distance.
• Follow the plan and police instructions. Some plans advise against using radios or cell phones very close to a suspected device; let responders guide you.
• Note the exact location, appearance and who may have seen it or left it, and tell the police.
• If a package may contain a chemical, biological or powder hazard, don't disturb it, shut off fans or air handling if you can do so quickly, leave the room, close the door, wash hands with soap and water and keep exposed people together. See Chemical Exposure First Aid.

Evacuate, shelter or search?

• The police and incident commander decide if a building should be evacuated, and may advise a partial evacuation or search by trained staff. Follow your emergency action plan. See Emergency Action Plans.
• When told to evacuate, leave calmly and quickly by the designated routes, take personal belongings that you can carry and visitors with you, and leave doors and windows as instructed. Avoid elevators. Move far from the building, away from windows and glass, and to the assembly area. See Evacuation Headcounts.
• Account for everyone. Don't go back inside until police say it's safe. Keep the area clear for emergency vehicles.
• In some cases the safest action is to shelter in place away from a threat outside or from an area. See Shelter in Place.
• Help people who need assistance, such as those with disabilities, in line with your plan.

Prepare now

• Train front-desk, mail room and phone staff and post the bomb threat checklist. Run drills and tabletop exercises with local police and fire departments.
• Include threats in the emergency action plan: who decides on evacuation, who calls 911, communication tools, assembly areas, accountability and who meets responders.
• Screen mail and packages where needed, and know your facility layout (keys, access, plans) so responders can search quickly.
• Encourage the “See Something, Say Something” approach, and tell workers who to call. See Workplace Violence and Active Shooter.
• Support workers after an incident. See Post-Incident Stress.

Bomb threat checklist

• I keep the caller talking and write down their exact words and details
• Someone calls 911 and notifies security or a supervisor
• I don't touch or move suspicious items, and I move away and keep others away
• I follow police and plan instructions for evacuation or sheltering
• I save messages and evidence, and don't spread rumors

Last updated: October 5, 2026