13 Heat Safety Tips for Keeping Visitors Cool This Summer at Your Marina

Summer brings a surge of activity to marinas, drawing boating enthusiasts and water lovers. However, high temperatures and heatwaves can pose significant challenges. Implementing low-cost and easy-to-implement heat safety measures can ensure visitor comfort and safety. Here are ten tips to keep visitors cool during the hottest months of the year.

1. Provide Ample Shade

Creating shaded areas is one of the most effective ways to protect visitors from the sun. Use inexpensive solutions like pop-up canopies, umbrellas, and shade sails. Position these in high-traffic areas such as seating zones, and waiting areas around the ship store or fuel dock.

2. Install Hydration Stations

Staying hydrated is crucial in hot weather. Install water coolers or hydration stations at various points around the marina. Encourage visitors to bring reusable water bottles and be sure to have plenty avialable for them to buy.  Provide signage reminding members and employees to drink water regularly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidelines on keeping hydrated in hot weather.

3. Distribute Cooling Towels

Cooling towels are an affordable and effective way to help visitors cool down quickly. These towels are activated with water and can be distributed for free or sold at the marina store. Place them in shaded areas and encourage visitors to use them. Don’t forget, these items can carry your logo and act as your silent-ambassadors.

4. Set Up Misting Stations

Misting stations provide instant relief from the heat. Set up DIY misting stations using garden hoses and misting nozzles. Place them in strategic locations where visitors congregate, such as outdoor dinning areas at your restaurant dock.

5. Offer free Sunscreen

Providing free sunscreen at key locations around the marina can help protect visitors from sunburn. Set up dispensers with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen in restrooms, near hydration stations, and at the entrance.

Learn more about the benefits of sunscreen from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

6. Create Shaded Walking Paths

Use shade cloth or tarps to create shaded walkways along the marina. These paths provide a cool route for visitors walking between different areas. This simple solution can make a big difference in comfort.

7. Host Evening Events

Scheduling events in the evening when temperatures are cooler can enhance visitor comfort and safety. Organize activities such as outdoor movie nights, sunset cruises, or live music performances to attract visitors during cooler parts of the day.

For inspiration on hosting events, visit Eventbrite’s event planning resources. 

8. Provide Weather Updates

Keeping visitors informed about the weather can help them plan their day and take necessary precautions. Use your marina’s website, social media channels, or a mobile app to provide real-time weather updates and heat warnings.

The National Weather Service (NWS) offers tools for weather monitoring and alerts. 

9. Enhance Ventilation

Improving ventilation in covered areas and restrooms can reduce heat buildup. Use portable fans or install exhaust fans to enhance airflow and lower temperatures. This is a cost-effective way to improve comfort in enclosed spaces. 

10. Install Reflective Window Film

Applying reflective window film to marina buildings can reduce the amount of heat entering indoor spaces. This can help keep indoor areas cooler and more comfortable for visitors. Reflective film is easy to install and can be a cost-effective way to lower temperatures. 

11. Promote the Use of Sun Hats

Encourage visitors to wear sun hats to protect themselves from direct sunlight. Provide hats at a low cost in your marina store or give branded hats away as part of a promotion. Wide-brimmed hats provide excellent sun protection and can help keep visitors cool.

11. Encourage Light and Breathable Clothing

Advise visitors to wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing to help stay cool. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for hot weather as they allow for better air circulation.

For more information on appropriate clothing for hot weather, check out WebMD’s guide on staying cool.

12. Set up Temporary Cooling Shelters

Setting up temporary cooling shelters can offer visitors a place to escape the heat. Use tents or pop-up canopies equipped with portable fans or misters to create a cool environment. Place these shelters in areas where visitors are likely to spend extended periods.

13. Educate Visitors on Heat Safety

Educate visitors about the risks of heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. Use signs and flyers to provide tips on staying cool, recognizing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and the importance of hydration and shade.

The Mayo Clinic provides valuable information on heat-related illnesses and their prevention.

Conclusion

Implementing these ten heat safety tips can significantly enhance the safety and comfort of marina visitors during the summer. These measures are low-cost and easy to implement, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their time at the marina without the risk of heat-related illnesses. By providing shade, hydration, cooling towels, and weather updates, marina operators can create a welcoming environment even in the hottest weather.

Additional Resources

For further reading and detailed information, refer to the following sources:

• CDC – Hydration Guidelines
• Holman Industries– Installing a Misting Kit
• Skin Cancer Foundation – Sunscreen Benefits
• Eventbrite – Event Planning Resources
• NWS – Weather Monitoring and Alerts
• Uline– Ventilation Solutions
• Mayo Clinic – Heat-Related Illnesses Prevention

By embracing these strategies, marina operators can create a safer, more enjoyable environment for all visitors, ensuring that everyone can make the most of their summer on the water. Prioritizing visitor safety and comfort allows marina operators to navigate the challenges of extreme heat and continue to provide exceptional service

Additional Safety Related Articles:

• Operational Marina Safety Planning
• Springtime Boat Safety Checklist
• Choosing a Life Jacket – the First Step to Boating Safety
• 5 Marina Safety Programs & Tips
• National Safe Boating Week
• Dos and Donts of Boating with Pets
• Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Tools
• Marina Installs ESD Prevention Tool
• Importance of Life Jacket Inspection and Maintenance
• Hurricane Preparedness Plans and Preparation
• What is a Personal Location Beacon?
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon Maintenance
• Boat Fire Takeaways for a Safer Marina
• Product Focus: ShockIQ  ESD Prevention Tool
• Dock Lifeguard Systems ESD Prevention
• Pet Heat Safety Guide for Marinas

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About MariCorp

Maricorp is one of the largest floating boat dock manufacturing and construction companies in the United States, specializing in galvanized steel floating docks and boat lift systems. With projects spanning coast-to-coast, Maricorp provides marina consultation and design, marine construction, marina repair and renovation, and boat dock disaster response and demolition.