by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Chinese Lanterns, those paper contraptions with a candle, used at weddings and other events instead of fireworks, are posing a serious threat to parks, open spaces and the countryside, including livestock.
Often these contraptions descend being on fire – the “balloon” is, after all but paper, even though it is claimed to be flame proof – and thus set grass- and heathland on fire. But still the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in Britain refuses to even consider a ban.
A number of livestock have been killed as a result of eating the devices and dying from the wire ingested and therefore farmer's groups have asked for a ban on the Chinese Lanterns, aka Sky Lanterns and such. Forestry and Parks- and Countryside Management personnel I am sure would join them in that request.
The principle of these Sky Lanterns is that is it a hot air balloon with a paper shell being somewhat reinforced with thin wires. And it is that wire that poses the danger to animals.
The candle, as a heat source, or in other cases in fact a dry fuel “brick” like was used with military stoves, seeing the contraptions are made of paper, poses a serious risk of fire and invariably, despite the claim that the paper is fireproof, those lanterns come down in flames.
We can but wonder how many small and larger fires in woods and open spaces, on farm land an d on heathlands, etc. have been caused by those lanterns. Statistics do not seem to be available at this moment but, maybe, someone should start collecting such data.
While one hates to be a spoilsport a ban of those stupid things should not only be considered; it should be put on the statute books as soon as at all feasible and possible, preferably yesterday.
© 2010
