Ban On Chinese Lanterns

[emmie]

wonder if some agree, i do think they are dangerous, as proved by this fire.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/jul/01/smethwick-fire-chinese-lanterns-banned

[Gromit]

AOG,
If the lanterns are used according to instructions they will rise when the envelop is full. When the fuel runs out and the flames die, they decend. The problem is that people launch them when it is windy and they go sideways instead of up.

[emmie]

from footage they seem to go any place, up, along and then down, ash from the remains will definitely be problematic

[woofgang]

the other issue, which Taipei probably don't care about, is the framework of the ballon that is left when it falls to earth. Wire and bamboo are both sharp and dangerous to animals and neither biodegrades quickly. And yes the detritus from rockets can be a pain too. Last year i retrieved 4x 3 foot sticks from my garden and the accompanying rocket caps which were the same diameter as a beer can. What goes up will come down somewhere.

[mikey4444]

These silly things have been causing injury to farm animals for years, and yet our Government shows no interest whatsoever in banning them ! I might be wrong here but aren't all of them made abroad ? In which case we can't say that a great British industry will be dented and unemployment ensue can we ?

[emmie]

probably made in china...

[Eve]

There may be a possible solution on the way...

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/businessmans-bright-idea-could-see-4827501

People aren't supposed to let them up round here because of the proximity to the airport. They don't seem to be quite as popular now, I remember looking out on NYE a few years ago and it looked like we were being invaded! From memory they asked for them only be let off in a set time period on NYE to prevent disruption to air traffic.

My vet friend says they are dangerous to cattle too who eat them, they can kill them.