The warm weather seems to be the invitation that so many people have been waiting for.

Out in Portage County, we saw plenty of people ditching the land and heading out onto the water.

But there's something to be said about safety. The Coast Guard Auxiliary have been out, offering free vessel checks. It's just one way to ensure you're up to code and up to speed.

"It takes 5 minutes tops, lets you know before you go out in the water, you could get a hefty ticket," said Coast Guard Auxiliary Inspector Gina Baldyga.

Watercraft officer Randy Fessler is out patrolling Portage County waters. He's seen enough accidents and hopes to prevent them altogether.

"It's our mission to ensure everyone's safety but they have fun at the same time," Fessler said.

Inspector Dana Kirk knows people often forget about the little things that could mean the difference between a good time and a bad accident.

"Their boat has been in storage, they forget, like they need life jackets for per people on board," Kirk said.

Fire extinguishers should be recharged, there should be a life jacket for each passenger, and emergency flares should be within their expiration date.

The Coast Guard recommends you take it a step further, by wearing a life jacket at all times.

"If you do enter the water, it's going to be unexpectedly and your life jacket doesn't do you much good if it's hanging on a hook in the cabin and stowed under a bench," said Chief Kyle Niemi.

According to Niemi, 8 out of 10 drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. 

The free checks are being recommended if, for nothing else, the of the peace of mind that comes with being prepared.

WKYC-TV