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Division of Public Safety & Security University of Michigan
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Bomb Threats

Find out how to handle bomb threats by phone, in writing, in speech, and electronically via email, social media blog posts, etc.

A photo of students walking next to the University of Michigan Art Museum.

If you find or receive a suspected bomb threat, we encourage you to report it.

Report a Threat

What To Do If There is a Bomb Threat

Bomb threats are rare on our campus, but in the unlikely event you receive or discover one, call 911 as stated above. Do not handle the object. The Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) will determine if an evacuation is necessary. Further guidance is provided below.

Bomb Threat Types & How to Respond

Telephone Threat
  • Find someone nearby and signal them to call 911 while you keep the caller on the line for as long as possible.
  • Questions to ask the caller (record the answers on a piece of paper):
    • Where is the bomb located?
    • When will the bomb explode?
    • What will cause the bomb to explode? A trigger? A timer?
    • What kind of bomb is it?
    • What does the bomb look like?
    • Why did you place it?
    • Who is the target?
    • What is your name?
    • What is your location?
  • Important things to note:
    • Time of the call
    • Age and gender of the caller
    • Background noises
    • Speech characteristics of the caller (tone, pronunciation, etc.)
    • The caller’s emotional state (sad, angry, agitated, etc.)
Electronic Threat (Email, Social Media, Blog Posts, etc.)
  • Call 911.
  • Leave the e-mail or webpage open on the computer until authorities tell you otherwise.
Written Threat
  • Call 911
  • Do not handle the item on which the threat was written, no matter what it is.
  • On a separate piece of paper, record the following:
    • Where the threat was found
    • The date and time you found the threat
    • Any situations or conditions surrounding the discovery
    • Any other person you are aware of who saw the threat
Verbal Threat
  • Call 911
  • If the person making the threat leaves, note the direction of travel
  • Only attempt to detain the person making the threat if it is safe for you to do so
  • On a piece of paper, record the following:
    • The threat exactly as the person communicated it to you, including the date and time
    • Name of the person making the threat, if you know them
    • Sex, skin color, and facial features
    • Type and color of clothing
    • Approximate height and weight
    • Hair color
    • Other distinguishing features (tattoos, piercings, etc.)
    • Speech characteristics (tone, pronunciation, etc.)
    • The person’s emotional state (sad, angry, agitated, etc.)

Did You Know?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified common traits of suspect letters and packages, which may contain explosives.