The Home Life – Page 10 – CityScape Insurance

Stay Safe on Your Jet Skis and WaveRunners

For a lot of people in Arizona, summer means getting out on the water. And you don’t even need a boat to do it. Personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis and WaveRunners, provide a fun and accessible way to enjoy the water.

However, these small, fast and maneuverable watercraft can present their own set of safety issues. So if you’re planning to make waves, let us at CityScape Insurance help you out with some safety tips. We want you to be able to hit the water next summer, too!

Make sure you’re following the law

In addition to U.S. Coast Guard boating regulations, which operators and passengers must follow (personal watercraft are classified as Class A inboard craft), many states have specific laws regarding personal watercraft such as Jet Skis and WaveRunners. Make sure you are aware of these laws before you hit the water in Arizona.
While state regulations vary, they may require the operator to be of a minimum age, complete a safe boating course and/or obtain an operator’s certificate. States and cities may also regulate speed limits, hours and areas of operation.
Because they are classified as Class A inboard craft by the Coast Guard, the following items are required on board personal watercraft: An approved personal floatation device for all passengers, a fully charged B-1 type fire extinguisher and a whistle or horn for signaling or warning.

Be prepared with safety gear

Other things to have handy on board include:

Your owner’s manual
A small waterproof first-aid kit
Flares, brightly colored cloth or a mirror to use as a distress signal
A tow rope
Sunscreen
A helmet – many personal watercraft injuries are to the head
Sunglasses or goggles

When you’re on board

First, make sure your kill-switch safety lanyard is attached to your life jacket or wrist, so if you fall off, the engine will stop. And remember, you are required to know and obey the rules of the water. It’s a good idea to take a boating-safety course to learn these rules, as well as other essential knowledge.

Other helpful tips:

Know your load limits, and don’t carry more weight than your watercraft can handle.
Know where you’re going, and the hazards in that area, such as rocks, pilings, etc.
Remain constantly alert for other watercraft, as well as swimmers, divers, water-skiers and people fishing. Don’t operate your watercraft in swimming or fishing areas.
Weekends and holidays with high boat traffic can be especially dangerous.
Never operate your personal watercraft after dark.
Be considerate of others. Noise is a common complaint about personal watercraft, so don’t stay in one location for too long. Also, avoid early-morning rides.
Remember, you are responsible for any damage caused by your wake. Avoid creating wakes near other individuals or boats.
Finally, don’t use alcohol before or during your time on the water. Your passengers and fellow boaters will be grateful, and you’ll be less likely to have an accident.

We hope to see you out on the water this summer and remember to stay safe.

Increase Fuel Economy This Summer

Low Tire Pressure

As gas prices continue to increase nationwide we need to save money anyway we can. What many don’t know is saving at the pump can be as simple as checking the tire pressure at least once a month. Studies have shown that nearly half of US drivers don’t even know what the low tire pressure symbol means. Doesn’t that make you wonder how many people out there are driving with low tire pressure, personally that kind of scares us. Not only does that jeopardize your safety it also increases the chance of a blowout. By following a general rule of thumb, check your tire pressure every two times you fill your gas tank. For those who don’t know, you can find the suggested tire pressure specific to your vehicle on the inside panel of the drivers side door. While down there also take a moment to check the side walls and take a quick observation of the tread, if your tire is balding than you may want to visit your local tire professionals and get it looked at/replaced.

Did you know under-inflated tires increase tire wear, reduce fuel economy, and leads to higher carbon pollution?

Responsible Driving Habits

Low tire pressure isn’t the only factor that decreases fuel economy; rapid acceleration and heavy braking will dramatically drop fuel economy and if continued will cause premature mechanical breakdown. Aggressive drivers that slam the gas and speed all over town will see a huge hit in gas mileage ultimately ravaging their wallet. In addition these erratic driving behaviors put all drivers on the road at risk and will increase your auto insurance rates if an accident occurs.

Though obeying the posted speed limit is a good idea and will keep you from getting a costly ticket, it can also help save you money on gas. Most vehicles have an optimal fuel economy ranging at different speeds, knowing where your car’s sweet spot could save you big bucks over the course of a year. We suggest also using cruise control on the highways when possible as it allows you to keep a steady RPM which saves on gas. Using overdrive gears (if equipped) slows your engine speed which reduces engine wear and increases the fuel economy.

Arrive Alive! Someone Needs You.

Avoid Hauling Dead Weight

How many of us practically live in our vehicles? Driving around with your car loaded up with clothes, trash, tools, boxes, golf clubs, and whatever else you can fit in it adds weight which decreases fuel economy. Those of you who have an empty roof rack or an unused camper loaded on the back can reduce fuel economy anywhere from 2%-25% when city driving and across town on the freeway. Drivers who also use their truck to haul trailers can also save on fuel consumption by dropping the trailer when not in use.

Excessive Idling

Idling on the freeway when stuck in rush hour traffic is for some of us unavoidable, and quite painful to say the least. When you’re not stuck on the streets, excessive idling in front of the house, running into the gas station, or even pulled over on the side of the road can really run up the gas bill if it’s a regular habit. Depending on your vehicle type and engine size, idling can burn anywhere from a quarter to a half-gallon per hour. Though many have heard that starting and stopping the engine burns more gas than leaving the car running, this isn’t always the case. We recommend turning off your engine when parked for any prolonged amount of time. Not only will this save on gas but it also cuts down on the emissions your vehicle releases into the atmosphere.

Implement these tips and start saving money at the pump today. We would also like to remind everyone to drive safe and always look twice for motorcycles.

If you like what you’ve read please share with your friends, leave a comment, and subscribe to our blog to receive email updates as new articles come out. For additional information on this topic please feel free to contact us

Practice Jet Ski Safety This Summer