Posted on Thursday 16th April 2020
Sky lantern
People are being asked not to use sky lanterns in any campaigns to show praise for NHS staff during the Coronavirus crisis because of the risk to farm animals and the environment.
The warning, from Staffordshire County Council’s Animal Health Team is reminding people that lanterns can be particularly harmful to livestock as well as posing a significant fire risk. If the debris lands in rural areas, the wire parts can be eaten by farm animals which can cause serious injury or death.
Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“It’s great how people are finding different ways to support our NHS staff and key workers through the Coronavirus crisis, but using sky lanterns is not a good way of doing this.
“These lanterns may well look pretty when they float off into the night sky but when the debris lands on our countryside and are eaten by animals and livestock they can cause real problems. I know that some people will be tempted to buy them and set them off but I would urge them not to. If people wish to support our invaluable NHS staff and key workers please do so through established public and charitable activities such as the clap for carers on Thursday nights.”
The paper lanterns consist of a candle or a fuel cell filled with paraffin wax suspended inside a frame of wire or bamboo. When lit, they float gently upwards and drift away, landing when the fuel has run out. They can reach up to 3,000ft in height and drift for several miles in the breeze, landing anywhere.
The use of sky lanterns is banned on Staffordshire County Council land and property including its county farms and country parks.