The guide advises that it is important to develop a household emergency preparedness plan that includes an emergency preparedness kit; an escape plan; an emergency communications plan; and information about school and workplace emergency plans. A description of an emergency preparedness kit includes water, food, first-aid kit, tools and supplies, clothing and bedding, and specialty items. Separate sections of the guide provide information and suggestions for emergency planning for pets, household and financial preparations, emergency planning for businesses, homeland security, reporting suspicious activity, terrorism, biological/chemical emergencies, handling mail safely, emergency shelter, and when electrical power is lost. Advice is also offered on keeping warm, checking on relatives and neighbors, evacuation, and what parents should do if their children are in school when an emergency occurs. The guide concludes with general information on planning ahead, such as filling prescriptions before the medicine is completely used, keeping a copy of important contact numbers and medical information on your person, and planning and practicing the best escape routes from the house. Other advice is to share emergency information with family and neighbors and keep updated on emergency information being provided to the public. Important emergency contact numbers and information for Northern Virginia jurisdictions are provided, along with a list of resources.