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One of the best things about living in California is the gorgeous climate. It makes getting out and enjoying the outdoors an everyday occurrence. Considering how much water is available to residents in the state, combining your outdoor adventures with a boat, jet ski or wave runner brings a whole new level of fun to your life. Before you make arrangements to put your watercraft to good use, though, you need to make sure that you are covered in the event of an accident. California Watercraft Laws Each person who is on board a watercraft must be wearing a life jacket that has been approved by the Coast Guard. The approved types are Types I, II, III and V. Operating a personal watercraft such as a jet ski is prohibited between sunset and sunrise even if the craft is outfitted with the correct navigational lights. Only individuals that are aged 16 and older can operate a boat that is more than 15 horsepower unsupervised. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 can do so under the direct supervision of a person who is over the age of 18. There are also specific stipulations against negligent and unsafe behavior while operating a watercraft. Insuring Your Watercraft It is safe to assume that you need specialized insurance for your watercraft before you take it out to play. Rather than simply purchasing a cookie cutter insurance plan, however, work closely with your insurance agent to craft a customized insurance package that meets your unique needs. In most cases, this insurance plan will include liability in case you accidentally damage someone else's property or cause injury to another person. Collusion and comprehensive insurance is also a standard addition and protects your own boat and other watercraft in the event that it is damaged.

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California’s worst drought in decades is feeding what may become a devastating wildfire season, one that is starting about five months early. Extremely dry conditions have sparked 487 wildfires so far in 2014, compared with only 2 for the same period a year ago, according to the state Forestry and Fire Protection Department, known as Cal Fire. Potential power failures, home losses, lost tourism dollars and crop damage could jeopardize the world’s 10th largest economy as California struggles to emerge from the deepest recession since the 1930s. “Having this occur statewide is unprecedented, certainly in my career,” Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott, who started out as a firefighter almost 30 years ago, said in a telephone interview last week. “We anticipate the potential for a very long and sustained fire season throughout the rest of the year.” For a state already reeling from a drought that officials say could be one of the worst in California’s history, fires would only add to the misery. They could damage critical power lines and cause blackouts, disrupt water supplies and destroy sensitive ecosystems, said Bill Stewart, a forestry specialist at the University of California at Berkeley. Last year, prolonged dry conditions led to the third- largest fire in California’s history. The “Rim Fire” shut power lines and hydroelectric generators, charred parts of Yosemite National Park and threatened the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir watershed, which supplies 85 percent of the drinking water to San Francisco. ‘Poster Child’ The Rim Fire has become the “poster child” for future wildfires in California and the U.S. West, according to a 2013 report from CoreLogic Inc., a real estate data and analytics firm. Homes valued at about $78 billion in total are at risk from wildfires, estimates CoreLogic. Fires could even pose a risk for the state’s $22 billion wine industry. In 2008, smoke from smoldering wildfires in Mendocino County contaminated crops of pinot noir grapes, said Bill Pauli, a grower and general partner of Yokayo Wine Company in Ukiah, California. “Some wines had the odor of someone who had been standing next to a barbecue,” Pauli said in a telephone interview. “It was not a good situation and we all hope it doesn’t happen again.” Extra Firefighters Fire season usually begins around May and typically ends in November with the onset of winter storms, according to Cal Fire. This year, the department says it has hired 125 additional firefighters, staffed 25 extra fire engines and retained crews and aircraft that would normally be idle this time of year. The state has banned campfires and smoking in several parks. “Right now, all of our planning is for the worst-case scenario,” said Pimlott of Cal Fire. “We want to make sure we are ready.” The wildfire danger is of more concern to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti than the prospect of running out of water because of the drought, he said during an interview at Bloomberg News’s Los Angeles office. “I think we are going to see fire season around the clock for much of the year,” Garcetti said. “We are going to have to keep deployments much higher.” The city expects to spend an extra $12 million this year on fire department coverage due to the dry conditions, Garcetti said. Transmission Lines At the same time, utilities including PG&E Corp. and Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric are implementing plans normally reserved for high-fire season, such as stepping up patrols of electrical lines and bringing fire crews along for routine repairs. “Wildfires are always a risk in California,” said Alvin Thoma, director of power generation at San Francisco-based PG&E. “With the dry conditions we’ve had, the soil moisture content right now is much lower than usual, so that makes wildfires much more of a concern.” The California ISO, the state grid operator, said it will keep an “eagle eye” on high-voltage transmission lines, which will be needed to import more power this summer to make up for dwindling hydro-electric supplies and the retirement of a 2,200- megawatt nuclear plant in Southern California. The state typically imports one-quarter of its power needs, according to the ISO. “The wild card is always fires,” said Stephanie McCorkle, a spokeswoman for California ISO. “They can affect the transmission and that literally cuts imports that we can’t afford to lose.” Extra Vigilant If lines go down, the grid operator can reroute electricity and ramp up local generation production, McCorkle said. Edison International’s Southern California Edison utility, owner of the San Onofre nuclear plant that was retired last year, will need to be extra vigilant if the dry conditions continue, said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ted Craver. “You can’t say there wouldn’t be some combination of events, a heat storm and a fire that takes out a transmission line,” Craver said in a telephone interview. Upgrades to power networks and new gas generation that has come online in the past two years will help “the grid to be able to withstand the shocks,” Craver said. Although rainstorms in the past week have provided some respite, the odds are that the drought will persist along with the risk of more wildfires, according to Cal Fire. “Everybody is probably sitting back on pins and needles,” said Thomas Jeffery, a senior hazard scientist at CoreLogic. “The potential for a really disastrous wildfire season is very high.” Content provided by http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2014/02/11/244295.htm

More and more, people are vacationing in their own backyards. If you have turned yours into a “staycation” hot spot, here are some safety tips to consider to help keep your oasis fun and free of danger. The Pool The pool can be a refreshing way to get some relief from the hot sun. But it can also be dangerous. Get your pool swim-ready by understanding some of the most common ways accidents occur, and then learning more about proper swimming pool safety and maintenance to help prevent them: Unsupervised access or swimming, either by lack of close supervision or by failing to properly secure the pool to prevent entry. As a pool owner, you are responsible for making sure that access is restricted and people cannot enter pool areas unattended. Injury by diving or jumping improperly, or from water around the pool or deck area that may cause someone to slip and fall. Defective or broken spa or swimming pool components. Drains are often a dangerous pool part that can cause circulation entrapment if not properly covered. Faulty pool equipment and old pool lighting can also cause electrical shock. Prevent swimming pool accidents before they occur. Learn more about swimming pool safety. The Grill During warmer months, you might enjoy having a backyard barbecue. But according to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, gas and charcoal grills have been involved in an average of 8,800 home and outside fires per year. Some of the main causes of grilling fires are: Placing the grill too close to combustibles, such as siding or an overhang. Failure to keep the grill clean. Grease or fat buildup can catch and spread fire quickly. A leak or break in the grill’s gas hose. Leaving equipment unattended. Misuse of material or product, including using incorrect starter fluids. Cook safely outdoors this summer by reading our grilling safety tips. Trampolines Trampolines can be fun for kids, but according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they are the cause of nearly 100,000 injuries each year.  Avoid being a statistic: Limit the number of jumpers to one at a time. Supervision is needed for children at all times. Remove trampoline ladders after use to prevent unsupervised access by young children. Anchor the trampoline and enclosure to the ground by using a trampoline anchor kit. Playsets Playsets can be enjoyed by children of all ages, but damaged or weather-worn playsets can cause accidents. Stay safe by: Supervising children. Regularly checking for sturdiness, rusty bolts and wood rot, and making necessary repairs. Ensuring playsets do not have openings between pieces that could trap a child’s head or neck. Placing playsets securely on level ground and on wood chips or other soft materials to cushion falls and help prevent injuries. Fire Pits Warm nights are the perfect time to roast marshmallows. But out-of-control fires can cause injury. Be smart: Place the fire pit in a safe spot away from your home, backyard deck or low-hanging tree branches. Always require adult supervision around the fire pit while it is in use and until it has cooled off. Never leave the fire unattended. Use sand to fully extinguish the fire. Let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container. Lawn mowers During the spring and summer months, lawn mowers can easily cause injury. Follow these tips for safety: Read the mower’s manual, heed safety and operating instructions and learn the controls. Do not allow children to ride as passengers on a lawn mower, and be sure to keep children out of the yard while mowing. Clean up toys and other objects, such as rocks, from the yard to help prevent injuries from flying objects. Never leave a running mower unattended. Never operate the mower in an enclosed place where carbon monoxide can accumulate. Never unclog or work on a lawn mower while the engine is on or when the spark plug is connected. Wear non-slip shoes (no open toes or heels), long pants and hearing and eye protection. Grilling Fires: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/outdoors/grilling Trampolines: https://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/137868/085%20Trampoline%20Safety.pdf