Italy set to sizzle on Ferragosto holiday.The Italian health ministry has issued a maximum red alert heat warning for 16 cities around Italy on Thursday 14 August as the ongoing heatwave peaks.The Level 3 heat warning is in place in Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Milan, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Venice, Verona and Viterbo, according to the ministry's latest heatwave bulletin. The high temperatures will continue for Italy's national Ferragosto holiday on Friday 15 August, with 16 cities on red alert (Trieste taking the place of Campobasso). The red alert warning (bollino rosso) indicates emergency conditions with a risk of negative effects on the elderly, sick or very young, as well as healthy and active people. In its guidelines for coping with heatwaves, the health ministry recommends avoiding exposure to the sun and outdoor activity in the middle of the day, as well as advising people to drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day, eat lightly and preserve their medication properly. The city of Rome has also issued guidelines, urging people to avoid the sun between 10.00 and 18.00, and never to leave children or pets in cars. The capital also urges residents and tourists to download the Waidy Wow app which locates the nearest nasoni drinking fountains around the city. Tourists in Rome should know that the city's historic fountains are off-limits, however, with fines of €450 for those caught entering the waters. Italy has a 1500 telephone helpline offering advice on how to manage the heat as well as information about social and health services available. For heatwave updates see Italy's health ministry website. Article first published on 12 August, updated 14 August.

The Italian health ministry has issued a maximum red alert heat warning for 16 cities around Italy on Thursday 14 August as the  peaks. The Level 3 heat warning is in place in Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Milan, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Venice, Verona and Viterbo, according to the ministry's . The high temperatures will continue for Italy's national  on Friday 15 August, with 16 cities on red alert (Trieste taking the place of Campobasso). The red alert warning (bollino rosso) indicates emergency conditions with a risk of negative effects on the elderly, sick or very young, as well as healthy and active people. In its , the health ministry recommends avoiding exposure to the sun and outdoor activity in the middle of the day, as well as advising people to drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day, eat lightly and preserve their medication properly. The city of Rome has also issued , urging people to avoid the sun between 10.00 and 18.00, and never to leave children or pets in cars. The capital also urges residents and tourists to download the  which locates the nearest  around the city. Tourists in Rome should know that the city's historic fountains are off-limits, however, with  for those caught entering the waters. Italy has a  offering advice on how to manage the heat as well as information about social and health services available. For heatwave updates see Italy's . Article first published on 12 August, updated 14 August.