This document outlines what families can do before, during, and after an emergency. The first section covers preparations that can be made before an emergency occurs and includes the creation of a family emergency plan and an "emergency go kit," which can save time if one has to evacuate or go without heat, electricity, or water for a long time. Issues that can be important such as prescription medicines, pets, assisting neighbors, and knowing the plans of local school systems, are described. The second section covers information important after an emergency has occurred, such as how to prepare your home to be a shelter, what to do in the event of a power outage, how to obtain clean water, and how to evacuate your home. The final sections describe ways to handle various kinds of emergencies, including natural disasters; biological threats; chemical threats and; nuclear explosions and radiological contamination. The guide concludes with information on recovering from an emergency. The document contains a list of sources, key telephone numbers, and additional resources. (SLR)