Emergency travel checklist

There's been an accident, a medical emergency or a death and you're needed. The hours and days ahead are a flurry of activity. Can you get there in time? Will you pack everything you need? What arrangements do you need to make at home? The next few weeks will be difficult, but there are some ways you can make travel a little easier on yourself.

Thinking ahead

An emergency hasn't happened yet, but there are some things you can do to prepare:

- Keep your travel documents and identification up to date. A passport is still your best bet for international travel, and it should have six months left before it expires. Also, be aware that some countries require a visa for stays of more than two weeks.

- Know your support system. Who can make calls on your behalf to cancel appointments or social engagements? Who is familiar with your home and routine? Who gets along well with your pets? Find out who can take care of things in your absence.

- Have a spare set of keys on hand to lend to the person who will be looking after your home or your pets.

- If you're a caregiver, make sure you know what services and programs are available to ensure the care of your loved one.

- Maintain an up-to-date list of phone numbers on your computer: your doctor, pharmacy, veterinarian, next of kin, employer, pet boarding service, etc. -- anyone who you (or someone acting on your behalf) may need to get a hold of if you're gone for more than a few days. You can quickly print off this list to give to a neighbour, post by the phone or carry with you.

- Make room in your emergency fund. Financial experts usually recommend setting aside funds for emergencies -- make sure they cover any potential travel expenses for your family.