Countywide : Post Office Lists Bomb Indicators

Orange County postal officials are warning their employees and the public to watch for suspicious-looking parcels or letters, as authorities seek a serial bomber.

Saturday’s death of New Jersey advertising executive Thomas J. Mosser was the 15th in a series of attacks believed to be the work of one person. Two people have been killed and 23 have been injured by bombs mailed in six states, including seven in Northern California. .

Postal workers are minimally at risk because package or letter bombs usually go off only when opened, said Frank Ducar, inspector for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in San Francisco.

The Postal Inspection Service recommends that the public check for the following warning signs:

* An excessive amount of postage. People who send bombs tend to avoid post offices and, to ensure arrival, overestimate the number of stamps needed.

* “Personal,” “Private,” “Fragile--Handle With Care” or “Do Not Delay” written or stamped on the package.

* The address in distorted handwriting, or prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering.

* Oil stains, protruding wires, aluminum foil or a peculiar odor.

* An uneven or lopsided appearance or rigid feeling to letters.

* Irregular shape, soft spots or bulges on parcels.

* Buzzing, ticking or sloshing sounds.

* Amateurish packaging with several combinations of tape.

* Fictitious or no return address, or a postmark that does not match the return address.