The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is advising all-terrain vehicle training to ensure safe use in the wake of two fatal ATV crashes in Minnesota.

Conservation officer Jeremy Henke said of 15 ATV crash fatalities statewide in 2015, only one of the people who died had undergone safety training.

A 5-year-old boy was killed in an ATV crash earlier this month in Kandiyohi County and a 10-year-old boy was killed in an ATV crash last month in Fillmore County.

Henke said training is required for anyone riding ATVs on public property who are born after July 1, 1987, and he suggested training for anyone riding ATVs on private property.

An ATV safety course will be at 9 a.m. April 23 at Clarks Grove City Hall. Participants must be 11 years old before the class to be eligible.

Anyone interested in more information is advised to contact Scott Peterson at 507-402-0869.

Henke said training brings real-life scenarios into a more relaxed environment. Helmets and other requirements will be discussed.

Henke said 80 people have been killed statewide in ATV crashes in the last five years.

Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag said parents are ultimately responsible for making sure children are safe while riding ATVs, and he advised making sure children are trained and fit the vehicles before allowing them to use them.

He advised parents to lock ATV keys away to prevent young children from grabbing them, noting it’s disappointing and sad to see fatal crashes that can be prevented.

He said most fatal ATV crashes occur when the ATV strikes a fixed object, such as a tree, ejecting an occupant who is not wearing a helmet.

Many fatal crashes involve alcohol and speed, he said, and he urged people to know their operating limits and the ATVs operating limits before riding.

Anyone under 18 years old who is operating an ATV on public land must wear a Department of Transportation-approved, fully-enclosed helmet.