Louisville residents urged to stay safe in heat during Fourth of July weekend

Louisville residents are preparing for a hot and humid Fourth of July weekend, with families, event organisers and care homes putting extra measures in place to help people stay safe in the heat.

Although temperatures are expected to ease slightly over the weekend, many outdoor celebrations will go ahead as planned.

Josh Chang, who recently moved to Louisville, told WLKY that keeping his children safe remains his main priority.

"My kids are very small, so they get tired easy and are very affected by hot weather. We use lots of sunscreen and encourage them to drink a lot of water."

Shonda Craig said her annual family gathering would continue despite the warm conditions, with paddling pools, sprinklers and air-conditioned spaces available for guests.

In St. Matthews, Independence Bank is preparing to host its first Freedom Fest on 3 July, featuring splash pads, misting tents and other cooling stations. The event will also raise money for first responders.

"If you're getting too hot, get out of the sun and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. It's important that you pay attention to your body”, Cindy Bailey, Chief Enrichment Officer at Independence Bank, told WLKY.

Veteran Jerry Roberts said he would not miss the event, telling WLKY: "It's great. It's very patriotic, and I was a military guy, so I think it's good."