The Danger of Chinese Lanterns

[hedgehugger]

I had heard about cattle getting horrific injuries through eating them, but spotted this on BBC news-site
BBC News - Dead owl found trapped in Chinese lantern

[htcdude]

Very sad I've read how these lantern things are damaging to wildlife, not only in the sky and on the land, but also the ones that land in the sea

Nige

[KentYeti]

That is very very sad.

Even more so as the farmer is reported to have said:

"For the last 10 years we've been trying to create the right environment for the birds to live and survive".

For any Barn Owl, (or indeed any living thing), to die like that is dreadful. But if it's one amongst those that you have been encouraging to live on your land for a decade............................

It does seem very irresponsibe to set fire to something that is going to burn for sometime. And then just release it into the air, with no knowledge at all of where it will land and what damage it will do when it lands.


Bryan

[tigertom]

Its about time these things were banned as they have been in a number of European countries already, as they are a hazzard to wildlife in the air the sea and on land and god knows what damage they could do to air craft
MIKE

[Billabong Karen]

Originally Posted by tigertom

Its about time these things were banned as they have been in a number of European countries already, as they are a hazzard to wildlife in the air the sea and on land and god knows what damage they could do to air craft
MIKE

Absolutely agree: seems that just about everything else these days is banned; where are health and safety when you need them???

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Billabong Karen

where are health and safety when you need them???

H&S is primarily conditioned by issues of 'liability' - until there are legal cases which confer realistic possibilities of civil or criminal action being taken against the user/supplier/manafacturer - say a case of a house being set on fire directly linkable to use of the lanterns at a specific event, then it's unlikely that H&S considerations would have a role. Prosecution under wildlife legislation might bring about some change but there's a problem of traceability and establishing who is responsible for a given harm. A consumer boycott of shops supplying the laterns might have an effect if accompanied by appropriate publicity.

CM

[RoyW]

Littering laws should already be enough to prevent realease of these (as well as balloon releases - even if 'special' biodegradable balloons are used).

[Lancashire Lad]

There are literally hundreds of these things released in my local area at midnight as the New Year comes in.
Two years ago, one landed on the roof of the houses opposite, but fortunately extinguished itself as it rolled towards the gutters.

I can see no reason why the government still prevaricates on the issue when an outright ban is the only sensible conclusion.

What is there to lessen the magnitude of danger in releasing these things and setting tea-lights alight and throwing them, along with large paper bags into the street?

They are litter, they are fire hazards, they are dangerous to property, livestock, and wild animals. In my opinion, there can be no extenuating circumstances that should warrant or legitemise their continued sale.

Regards,
Mike.

[hels]

Ban the Use and Sale of Chinese Lanterns - e-petitions

Can I suggest we all sign this petition and get all our friends and family to do the same?
We may not be able to force laws, but we can force the government to at least think about it!

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

........They are litter, they are fire hazards, they are dangerous to property, livestock, and wild animals. In my opinion, there can be no extenuating circumstances that should warrant or legitemise their continued sale.
Regards, Mike.

I agree....

Originally Posted by hels

Ban the Use and Sale of Chinese Lanterns - e-petitions

Can I suggest we all sign this petition and get all our friends and family to do the same?
We may not be able to force laws, but we can force the government to at least think about it!

.....and I've signed the petition - thanks for drawing it to our attention

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)