A package delivered to the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building on Tuesday appearing to contain an explosive device turned out to be a hoax, MSU police said.

Police Chief Jim Dunlap notified the MSU community about the incident through an e-mail Wednesday. The package was addressed to the MSU Physics Department.

Explaining that federal law requires police to notify the community of such incidents, Dunlap wrote that the hoax should remind people to be cautious when handling mail.

"Hazardous materials have been sent through the mail/delivery service in other parts of the country," Dunlap wrote. "It is important to be aware of the warning signs and notify police of any package believed to be suspicious."

Mail-handlers should look out for packages that are oddly shaped or are excessively taped. Packages with protruding wires, no return address or a foreign currency postmark also should be flagged.

MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said police are being cautious and investigating all leads that hint at destructive behavior.

"We want people to be especially careful and not take a risk themselves and know the procedures for handling these packages ,because we have people trained to do it," McGlothian-Taylor said.

MSU police have a Web site, www.dpps.msu.edu/eoc/smail.asp, that offers further details for dealing with suspicious mail or packages.

On Oct. 29, East Lansing police investigated a suspicious red suitcase at the post office on Abbott Road. The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad was called to investigate and later determined that the luggage was empty.

East Lansing Police Chief Lou Muhn issued a statement saying, "Fortunately, this was a false alarm, but we were pleased that everyone along the line did exactly what they were supposed to do when they confront a suspicious object."