Italy hit by lightning 400,000 times

(ANSA) - Rome, August 3 - Italy was hit by lighting 408,831 times in the first seven months of 2015, the Italian Experimental Electrotechnical Center (CESI) said Monday.
    The figure is down sharply from last year, when the peninsula was hit by lightning 3.2 million times (against 1.7 million in 2013).
    CESI is part of the pan-European Euclid network, and monitors lightning activity via 16 sensors located throughout Italy around the clock, year round.
    Tuscany, followed by Piedmont and Lazio, have been the regions most hit by lightning over the past 15 years, with peaks in July and August.
    The region with the least amount of lightning bolts in the first seven months of the year was Molise.
    CESI also issued guidelines on what to do in case of a lightning storm.
    At home, people are advised to turn off the TV, unplug appliances, avoid taps and running water, and use the phone only in cases of emergency.
    In a car, shut windows and doors and do not touch the radio or metallic parts. Cars are a safe haven in case of a storm because they will ground electricity through the tires.
    Mountain trekkers surprised by an electrical storm should try to descend in altitude, find enclosed shelter, and failing that, crouch down at a distance from from outcrops and trees.
    At the beach, immediately get out of the water and seek enclosed shelter. If forced to stay on the beach, sit or crouch down.
    At the park, get away from the trees and seek enclosed shelter, otherwise sit or crouch low to the ground. If on a metal bike, get off immediately.
    When camping, stay in an enclosed space such as an RV, or leave the tent and seek an enclosed space. If forced to stay in a tent, crouch and keep away from the tent poles. Avoid playing with kites and the use of fishing poles.
    If on a boat, go back to port or sail close to the coast.
    The mast on a sailboat will attract lightning, so keep away. If at all possible, wrapping the anchor around the mast and dropping it will discharge any electricity from a lightning strike into the surrounding water. If the storm does not abate, try to sail your way out of it.