DNR tips to boat responsibly this Fourth of July weekend

Wear A Life Jacket And Stay Sober

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public to boat responsibly during the Fourth of July weekend by staying sober and always wearing a life jacket.

Operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness and speeding are the four leading causes of watercraft crashes, with the leading cause of death being drowning. 

Drowning can happen to experienced swimmers. Most people who drown in boating-related incidents know how to swim but become incapacitated in the water, such as being injured, unconscious, exhausted or weighed down by clothing.

So far in 2025, there have been five boating fatalities in Wisconsin, and two victims were confirmed not wearing life jackets. In 2024, there were 14 boating fatalities, 10 of which involved a victim not wearing a life jacket.

New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. Innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allow mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing or paddling and are much cooler in warmer weather.

Follow these safety tips and enjoy Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers with family and friends.

• Sign up now to take an online boater education course.
• Always wear a properly fitted and fastened life jacket when on or near the water. A life jacket will keep you on top of the water if you walk off an unexpected drop-off, a wave or current overpower you or you fall out of a boat.
• Enjoy the waters sober and know your limits. Alcohol blurs a person’s judgment, reaction time and abilities.
• Keep an eye on the weather and tell someone where you are going.

Be ready for the unexpected, and always wear your life jacket. Learn more about watersport safety on the DNR’s Boat Safety webpage.