Friday, November 1, 2013

No Nonfire Night Sky lantern

The CLA in the South West is urging all landowners - public and private - to ban the use of sky lanterns on their property this Bonfire Night.




The Association, which has been campaigning for an outright ban, says the lanterns are little more than uncontrolled flying bonfires and put livestock, crops and buildings at risk.



CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “Sky lanterns, or Chinese lanterns, have become increasingly popular around this time of year. Our concern is that, once launched, they are capable of travelling for miles at the mercy of the wind and it is impossible to predict where they will land.



“We are encouraging our members not to allow them to be used on their land or at their events and venues - and we are also asking the public to think again about the risks of using them.”



The CLA says that expired lanterns landing in fields pose a risk of serious injury and even death to livestock and wildlife which have been known to ingest the abandoned frames, whether wire or bamboo, and suffer painful - and sometimes fatal - injuries as a result.



“But the biggest risk is posed by fire. There is also no guarantee the flame will have extinguished before it lands, potentially triggering a blaze that could destroys crops, forestry and buildings. Until these lanterns are finally banned, we will continue to discourage their use,” said Mr Mortimer.