Are you going out on the water this spring? The Wisconsin Department of Nature Resources has tips for you to remember.

With warm weather in the forecast for this weekend and most lakes free of ice, the Department of Natural Resources on Friday reminded anyone hitting the water in Wisconsin to wear a life jacket.

“Safety is an important part of water fun,” said DNR Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR boating law administrator, in a statement. “Putting safety first by wearing a life jacket and having respect for the water are two important things to remember when going to any Wisconsin river and lake to enjoy warm spring days.”

Boaters, anglers and paddlers face similar risks on the water in April. Although the air temperature may spike, the water is still cold, increasing the danger of hypothermia to anyone who falls in or capsizes.

Last year 25 boating fatalities were recorded in Wisconsin, tied with 2018 for the most in the last decade, according to DNR data. Twenty-one (84%) of the victims were not wearing a personal flotation device, according to the annual safety report. Ninety-one percent of the victims were male; the average age was 46.

Year after year, failure to wear a PFD is associated with the majority of boating fatalities in the state.

The DNR does not track all drownings but does for fatalities linked to the use of a recreational activity item, such as a boat, kayak or canoe.

Boating incident reports are available on the DNR website.

Kuhn said deaths from drowning are preventable.

“Wardens have responded to numerous drowning deaths only to find a life jacket stuffed inside a kayak or floating near the capsized canoe,” Kuhn said. “Putting on a life jacket before wading, playing along shores or getting in a boat gets you ready to focus on the fun.”

The agency highlighted improvements in materials and technologies which make modern life jackets more comfortable, lightweight and stylish.

Among the options are inflatable life jackets which afford greater mobility and flexibility and are much cooler in warmer weather.

Wisconsin statistics show boaters who wear life jackets and take boater safety courses are most likely to stay safe on the water, according to the DNR.

The agency offered the following water safety tips:

• Take an online boater education course.

• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket that has a snug fit and is fastened when you're on or near the water. Life jackets will keep you on top of the water if you walk off an unexpected drop-off, or a wave or current overpowers you or you fall out of a boat or off a paddleboard.

• Enjoy the waters sober and know your limits. Alcohol blurs a person's judgment, reaction time and abilities.

• River shorelines and sandbars pose unseen dangers. Higher, fast-moving water can tax an individual's boating, paddling and swimming skills.

• Keep an eye on the weather and let someone know where you are going.

• Consider wind conditions when venturing out on a small watercraft, canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

• Be ready for the unexpected and always wear your life jacket.

For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin boaters urged to wear life jackets in annual DNR reminder