Warm, sunny and tropical are some of the first impressions that come to mind when one thinks of a private island, and these qualities can certainly make for a dream vacation- but there are serious hazards involved in getting too much of a good thing. Heat stroke, also known in a milder form as heat exhaustion, can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated, particularly for children, the ill and the elderly. Resulting from an inability to generate enough cooling sweat to stabilize body temperatures, symptoms of heat-induced illnesses include faintness, nausea and headaches, and in extreme cases the afflicted may vomit, be unable to adequately breath, and become unconscious.

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This sleek outdoor garden shower has to be one of the most innovative ways of rinsing off after an afternoon spent sunbathing or swimming. An innocuous-looking circular platform that fits away easily when not in use, the Viteo sends a meters-high spray upwards when stepped on, providing a refreshing reverse-shower. The Viteo connects to any ordinary garden hose, and a minimum weight of 15kg activates the shower’s release valve. Water sprays in a continuous flow from 16 jets, which depending on your hose water pressure can reach heights of 13ft. Ideal for cottages and vacation homes, this stylish shower is a chic and surprising new way of keeping cool and clean.   

  www.proidee.co.uk

On a relatively closed ecosystem like a private island, owners are often uniquely aware of the value of recycling, reusing and cutting down on waste. When creating too much trash involves a trek to a mainland dump or the loss of valuable landfill space, composting becomes a necessary activity. And not only does composting make your island more eco-friendly, it also provides a handy way of creating rich garden fertilizer.

Good compost has a careful balance of “browns” and “greens”, or materials rich in carbon and nitrogen, respectively. Brown materials include fallen leaves, twigs, and bits of wood, all of which are often gathered up anyway in island clearing and maintenance. The green types of refuse needed for successful compost can be organic food castoffs like fruit and vegetable peels, tea bags, seaweed and lawn clippings, all of which decompose quickly, especially if chopped up a bit prior to being added to the pile. It is recommended that the best ratio of “browns” to “greens” is about 25-1. This compost guide provides a thorough list of all of the types of materials that make for nutrient-rich compost:

http://www.compostguide.com/

While compost can be created in a very low-tech manner, there are products available to speed up the process (and minimize odors, too). The Tunbleweed composter is a large bin that can be rotated to help facilitate decay, and with daily rotation produces about 4 loads of compost in the time it takes a stationary bin or pile to produce one. In hot summer months, you can have dark, healthy compost for your garden in as little as three weeks. 

http://store.compostguide.com/tumbleweed.html

For those opting for a stationary compost method, this tool is invaluable in ensuring your compost gets the air needed to properly decay. The Turning Garden Tool is a long device with 7-inch “wings” at the end that spread out to move your compost pile around with minimal effort.

http://store.compostguide.com/compostturner.html

Like many types of low-lying waterfront property, islands may be prone to collecting pools of water that can not only disturb the island’s use, but pose a serious health hazard. Whether caused by storms, erosion or just naturally-occurring, these tepid pools can form a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes and flies. Swamp or marsh areas of the island may also be undesirable aesthetically, or interfere with intended construction. Getting rid of excess water is a simple project that requires some help from a durable water pump.

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There are regions of the world where weather isn’t just a topic for polite conversation, but a life or death matter. Hurricanes, tropical storms or blizzards can be serious concerns for island owners in remote areas, as they are both likely to be more affected, and possibly hours away from any emergency support systems. Designed for small-plane airstrips, private weather stations are the most accurate way of keeping track of your local weather when it matters most.

Created by the meteorological engineering firm Belfort Instrumental, the DigiWx Digital Weather station is an automated and cost-effective solution for at-risk areas, ideal for remote resorts or private islands. A 15ft aluminium tower outfitted with sensors designed to accurately pinpoint local wind speed, temperature, and barometric pressure, DigiWx data is transmitted up to 10 nautical miles from the station and can be read using a handheld device or computer, or voice-activated Unicom broadcast from a plane’s cockpit. The simple design allows the DigiWx to be installed in less than a day, and the lightweight aluminium makes for ease of transportation. Also very ecologically friendly, the weather station is solar-powered with a 12 volt D-cell battery for backup. 

http://www.belfortinstrument.com/content/faq.cfm