With warm weather, the water is still cold

With unseasonably warm weather forecast for the holidays, the Coast Guard wanted to remind you that even though the air temperature feels warm the water temperature is still cold.

If you plan on going out on the water, officials say be smart about it, always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway and dress appropriately for the water temperature, not for the air temperature.

Officials say cold water reduces your body’s heat up to 25 times faster than cold air.

Along with a life jacket, the Coast Guard recommends wearing a drysuit or other hypothermia protective clothing if you’re going to be near cold water. Officials say that gear will help if you happen to fall into the water.