Prepare to party

September 10, 2009

If your "in case of emergency" plan could use an update, there's no better time than the present to channel your inner Boy Scout.

As part of its Ready campaign, the Department of Homeland Security declared September National Preparedness Month. Having a preparedness party may be a great way to update your household crisis management skills and get the whole family ready for anything.

Create customized emergency kits for each member of the family by setting up a scavenger hunt. Include a map of your home with your evacuation route clearly marked and adorn the house with fire-themed decorations. Along the way, hide flashlights and other emergency tools specifically decorated and color-coded for each family member. While they search, make sure everyone can locate all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

You may also split the family to play emergency trivia. Create quiz questions and determine which half of the family is best prepared.

After you've crowned the readiness champion, reward your newly trained response team with a well-prepared snack, like cupcakes with – of course – safety candles.