LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Another day, another sweat. Many Kentuckians are experiencing hot temperatures as the summer months progress.

New data shows almost a quarter of the country’s population is vulnerable to the rising heat.

The U.S. Census Bureau said 1 in 4 people in the United States are socially in need of special care and have low resilience to extreme heat exposure.

“It’s really hot,” said Noah Long, a skateboarder. “I just I’ve been doing it forever and I, I love it.” 

It’s his calling. Three to four times a week, under the scorching sun, he skateboards in Louisville. 

“Oh man, I bring water with me and I try to find shade when I can,” Long said.

He takes breaks where he can.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Morgan Cole said warning people of the heat is important because people can end up in the ER.

“This can become a life-threatening illness if they’re not identified and taken care of appropriately,” Cole said. “I think it’s important to get the word out to people—ways that they can help themselves when they're in the heat. Ways that they can avoid heat stroke, or ways that they can identify that.”

She said to drink water or electrolytes in advance before going outside. It’s also key to continue hydrating, find shade and wear loose clothing to prevent a heat stroke or illness.

“If you have identified signs of heat illness in a family member or yourself and you remove yourself from the heat—you remove some layers of clothing, you apply some cool rags to your body, you’re drinking some cool fluids and after 30 minutes, there’s not a significant improvement? We would then want you to proceed to the nearest emergency department for an evaluation,” Cole said.

As the summer months progress, so will the temperatures, so remember to stay cool no matter where you go.